More than 800 Sarawakian nurses want to return, says Sim

 

Dr Sim Kui Hian said healthcare personnel placement is one of the issues being discussed between the state and federal governments under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement. (Bernama pic)

KUCHING: 

More than 800 Sarawakian nurses working in other parts of the country have expressed their desire to return and serve in their home state, according to Sarawak deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian.

Sim, who is also the Sarawak public health, housing and local government minister, said there are available positions in the state to accommodate them.

He said healthcare personnel placement is one of the issues being discussed between the state and federal governments under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63).

“That is why we want to manage our healthcare system rather than wait for the federal government to decide on postings. These are the issues under MA63 that we wish to discuss, so we can make decisions ourselves.

“(We understand) that most people prefer to work in their home state. The cost of returning home is also much cheaper,” he told reporters after the launch of the national influenza immunisation programme for the elderly here today.

On March 3, deputy health minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni was reported to have said the placement of nurses outside their home states is one of the reasons some choose to leave the public health service.

Lukanisman said the situation posed a challenge for the ministry, as nurse placements are determined based on the needs of each state.

According to him, a total of 1,754 nurses left government service over the past five years, with 27.98% of them citing personal problems. - FMT