Task force to look into nursing allowance, says Dzul

 Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry would ensure that all proposals on the matter are carefully considered.

Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry had taken note of the proposal and held preliminary discussions. (Bernama pic)

BATU PAHAT:

 An inter-ministry task force will be established soon to look into a proposed increase in post-basic nursing allowances, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said.

He said the health ministry had taken note of the proposal, with preliminary discussions already held by the ministry.

“In the near future, the inter-ministerial task force will begin its discussions,” he said after visiting the Tongkang Pechah health clinic here today.

Dzulkefly said the ministry would ensure that all proposals on the matter are carefully considered.

“I am committed to safeguarding the welfare of our workforce, whether nurses, doctors, specialists or others,” he said.

On Thursday, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) urged the government to raise the nursing allowance to at least RM500 per month from the current RM100, along with a structured periodic review mechanism.

MMA president Dr R Thirunavukarasu said the allowance has remained at RM100 for the past 17 years — a sum that, he said, barely covered transport costs.

He said nurses received training in intensive care, emergency and trauma, dialysis, oncology, and neonatal care, and played a crucial role in the health system. - FMT