KKM Strengthens 3 Strategies To Address Shortage Of Nurses
KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Health (KKM) is strengthening three main strategies for national health workforce reform to address the critical shortage of nurses, said Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said the three strategies cover increasing the output of graduates in the field, expanding career pathways, as well as implementing direct recruitment and autonomy in staffing management.
“This step is important to ensure that the country’s health workforce needs can be met in line with the increasingly complex challenges of the health system,” he said in a speech at the KKM Training Institute (ILKKM) 2026 Convocation for the Sabah Zone at Dewan Canselor, Universiti Malaysia Sabah here today.
Dzulkefly said that out of 73,281 posts for nurses grade U5, there are currently 10,557 vacancies at health facilities.
To increase workforce output, he said the intake of trainee nurses has been doubled to 3,000 per year starting from 2025.
“To expand this strategy, KKM aims to outsource up to 2,000 trainees per year to public and private institutions of higher learning (IPTA and IPTS),” he said.
In addition, Dzulkefly said four ILKKM branches will be reopened by October 2027 in Kuantan, Pahang; Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu; Muar, Johor and Penang with an additional total capacity of approximately 500 trainees.
“This brings the overall capacity of the Diploma in Nursing programme to 5,500 trainees per year,” he said.
For the second strategy, Dzulkefly said KKM will begin 15 On-The-Job Training (OJT) programmes this September to enable staff to enhance their expertise without having to leave their workplace for long periods.
“KKM is also expanding the career pathway for community nurses to become nurses through the Transition Diploma,” he said.
Meanwhile, for the third strategy, he said the Public Service Department (JPA) has approved an exemption for Interim Contract Appointments for ILKKM Diploma in Nursing graduates who meet the requirements.
“This means that all ILKKM Diploma in Nursing graduates who pass and are registered with the Malaysian Nursing Board will be absorbed directly into permanent positions,” he said.
Dzulkefly said that since July 9, KKM has been given autonomous authority to manage staffing to reduce bureaucracy and ensure that graduates in related fields are placed directly in the field.
Meanwhile, he said ILKKM produced 6,987 graduates this year, with 924 graduates in the Sabah Zone, while 5,117 graduates in the Peninsular Zone and 946 in the Sarawak Zone.
He said the theme of this year’s convocation ceremony, “ILKKM Graduates: The Pillar of MADANI Health Reform,” reflects KKM’s ongoing commitment to producing health professionals capable of contributing to the well-being of the people.
Berita Harian