Malaysia’s health ministry ramps up nursing graduate output and offers permanent posts to thousands of contract staff to address a critical shortage of medical professionals.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health is increasing the output of nursing graduates following the end of a long-standing moratorium on new diploma programmes.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said 15 private higher education institutions have begun offering new nursing diplomas since the Ministry of Higher Education’s moratorium ended in August.
He said the ministry has also significantly increased its own intake for the Diploma in Nursing at its training institute this year.
The number of trainees has risen to 3,343, compared to just 935 recruited in 2023.
“Overall, as of September 2025, a total of 6,059 Diploma in Nursing trainees are currently studying at the institute,” he told the Dewan Negara.
“These trainees will begin phased service between 2026 and 2028, following their graduation and registration with the Malaysian Nursing Board.”
He was responding to a question on strategic measures to address the shortage of doctors and nurses.
As an immediate step, Lukanisman said the ministry has offered permanent appointments to 4,518 contract medical officers and 3,254 nurses this year.
Next year, it aims to offer permanent posts to 4,500 contract medical officers and 935 nursing graduates from its institute.
Lukanisman also reported an increase in the resignation rate among medical officers and nurses.
Data from 2022 to 2024 shows an average resignation rate of approximately 0.84% for medical officers and 0.66% for nurses.
To address the issue, he said the government is offering various incentives, including a specialist incentive payment and a 15% salary increase.
An on-call duty allowance has also been increased by approximately 40%.
The ministry continues to provide specific incentives to attract personnel to serve in rural and remote areas.
These include a location and difficulty allowance ranging from RM500 to RM1,500 per month.
