Health Ministry relaxes criteria for hiring foreign nurses in private health facilities

PUTRAJAYA - The Health Ministry has relaxed the criteria for hiring Foreign Trained Nurses (JTWA) for private health facilities.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said that the new criteria include the number of JTWA in each private health facility cannot exceed 40 per cent of the number of nurses in the facility.

However, according to her, JTWA must sit the qualification test conducted by the Malaysian Nursing Board before being allowed to serve in this country.

"The hiring of JTWA is valid for a period of 12 months only, which is from Oct 1 until Sept 30 next year," she said in a statement today.

Commenting further, she said the service extension is allowed for 12 months according to JTWA's Temporary Practicing Certificate (TPC) approval.

"This matter will be re-evaluated based on the current situation and needs," she said.

She added that the private medical industry has welcomed the decision because it can help optimise their operations and services.

With that step, she said, private health facilities will also be more prepared to support the Health Ministry in an effort to meet the health needs of the people, through public-private collaboration.

"The Health Ministry expects this move to have a positive impact on various sectors such as the health tourism industry, and further stimulate the country's economic growth," he said.

According to her, the lack of nursing workforce in both the public and private sectors greatly impacts the effective delivery of health services in this country.

She explained that various associations in the private medical industry network have long raised the matter and that the solution to the problem involved should be overcome immediately.

Meanwhile, Dr Zaliha said the Health Ministry continues to prioritise the welfare and career prospects of local nurses who are always committed to providing the best health services to all citizens.

The ministry will implement the permanent recruitment of Nursing Diploma graduates from public and private higher education institutes in phases for the years 2024 and 2025.

"This step is taken to fill the needs of nurses at the KKM facility and will ensure job opportunities for local nurses are preserved," she said, hoping that all private health facilities will continue to provide quality health services.