Onn Hafiz calls for urgent action over staff shortage at Johor hospitals

 

JOHOR BARU: Johor has urged the Health Ministry to urgently fill over 2,000 vacant healthcare positions at three major hospitals in the state, including Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA), amid concerns over mounting workload and staff resignations.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the shortage has reached a critical level at HSA, Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI) and Hospital Pasir Gudang (HPG).

“The healthcare situation in Johor is at a critical level so we urge the Health Ministry to fulfil its promise and address the shortage of staff at HPG, HSA and HSI, involving more than 2,000 unfilled positions,” he said in a video on his Facebook page.

He urged the Federal Government to fulfil the state’s request, as many healthcare workers have resigned because they were unable to cope with the increasing workload due to the staff shortage.

Onn Hafiz said he visited HSA a few days ago to observe the conditions and listened to a briefing on the improvement efforts undertaken to ensure healthcare services continue effectively.

He said the ongoing efforts included the decanting of the hospital’s emergency and trauma department to the maternity and labour delivery centre beginning early August.

This move would allow upgrading works on the hospital’s electrical system to be carried out safely, he said, adding that a nearly RM159mil project to upgrade the hospital’s main power supply, electrical and mechanical systems, as well as several other improvements, was also being carried out.

“However, the shortage of healthcare workers at HSA remains a major concern.

“I am worried that the burden they are carrying has become too heavy as HSA is one of the main referral hospitals receiving thousands of patients from across Johor every day,” he said.

He added that the state government would also continue working to find the best solution to the issue. - Star