KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 — The Health Ministry (MOH) aims to increase the output of nursing graduates from public universities and private higher education institutions, following the end of a 2010 moratorium on new Diploma in Nursing programmes.
Health Deputy Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said that 15 institutions have already begun offering new nursing diplomas since the Higher Education Ministry's moratorium ended on August 1 last year.
To strengthen the workforce in health facilities, the MOH has recruited 3,290 medical graduates for postgraduate training this year and appointed them to the UD9-grade Medical Officer position.
For this year, it has also significantly increased its intake for the Diploma in Nursing at its training institute (ILKKM). 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, comprising intakes from 2023 through to 2025, are currently studying at the institute.
“These trainees will begin phased service between 2026 and 2028, following their graduation and registration with the Malaysian Nursing Board,” he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.
Lukanisman was responding to Senator Abdul Nasir Idris's query on the government's strategic measures to address the shortage of doctors and nurses resulting from an increased resignation rate and its impact on district hospitals and rural clinics.
As an immediate step to mitigate the shortage of medical officers and nurses, he said the MOH has offered permanent appointments to 4,518 contract medical officers and 3,254 nurses this year.
Next year, it aims to offer permanent appointments to 4,500 contract medical officers and 935 nursing graduates from ILKKM.
Lukanisman also reported an increase in the resignation rate among medical officers and nurses. An analysis of data from 2022 to 2024 shows the average resignation rate against the annual establishment is approximately 0.84 per cent for medical officers and 0.66 per cent for nurses.
To address the issue, the government is offering various incentives, including the Pre-Gazette Specialist Incentive Payment, a 15 per cent salary increase under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), and an approximately 40 per cent increase in the On Call Duty Allowance.
In addition, the MOH continues to provide specific incentives to attract personnel to serve in rural and remote areas.
These include the Location and Difficulty Allowance (BIMLTK), ranging from RM500 to RM1,500 per month; the Interior Incentive Payment, ranging from RM135 to RM165 per month; and either a Home Travel Allowance (for recipients of the BIMLTK) or Inter-State Travel Fare for officers transferred between regions.
