Hanifah: 15,000 nurses to be recruited nationwide to address workforce gap
by Michael Ubam · Borneo Post OnlineSIBU (April 4): The government aims to recruit 15,000 qualified nurses for public hospitals nationwide this year to address a significant workforce shortage in the healthcare system.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said the recruitment drive is crucial to ensure the sustainability of national healthcare services amid growing challenges.
“We often hear that nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, and that statement is indeed true.
“Their role goes beyond clinical protocols and medication cycles; they become the bridge between isolation and belonging.
“When doors are closed and family members are not there to hold a patient’s hand, it is the nurses who stand by the bedside as a quiet source of comfort,” she said when officiating the launch of the Diploma in Nursing programme and Nursing Simulation Laboratory at Methodist Pilley Institute (MPI) here.
Hanifah said the urgent need for more nurses is driven by Malaysia’s ageing population and the rising number of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, which require long-term care and monitoring.
“This unique skill set, rooted in deep empathy, unwavering attentiveness and sharp observation, is what transforms a clinical setting into a space of healing,” she said.
“That is why we need more nurses in our healthcare system. At present, Malaysia requires more qualified nursing professionals,” she added.
She also commended MPI for introducing the diploma programme, describing it as timely and aligned with national needs.
Hanifah also welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between MPI and Rejang Medical Centre as well as Borneo Medical Centre.
“This collaboration ensures that nursing students receive full sponsorships and allowances, placing them on a clear and secure career pathway.
“It is also an example of how partnerships between higher education institutions and the private healthcare sector can drive institutional growth while strengthening the public healthcare system through corporate social responsibility,” she said.
Also present were senator Robert Lau Hui Yew, MPI Board of Directors chairman Paul Wong Hee Kwong, deputy chairman Dr Peter Tang, Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference president Rev Dr Lau Hui Ming, Rejang Medical Centre representative Dr Lau Ngiik Chuong, and Borneo Medical Centre representative Dr John Chew.
Methodist Pilley Institute (MPI) today officially launched its Diploma in Nursing programme as a proactive step to address the country’s healthcare workforce shortage through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
MPI Board of Directors chairman Paul Wong Hee Kwong said the programme was the result of two years of planning and has received full support from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), including approval for the use of government facilities for clinical training.
“We strongly believe that public-private partnerships are essential in addressing the growing challenges in the national healthcare sector.
“The shortage of qualified nurses, increasing patient loads, and expanding healthcare needs require collaborative solutions. No single institution can meet these demands on its own,” he said at the event, which was officiated by Deputy Health Minister Hanifah Hajar Taib.
Under the collaboration, he said the first cohort of students is scheduled to begin on April 27, 2026, with MPI aiming to produce up to 60 qualified nurses annually. The inaugural batch is expected to graduate in 2029.
“While the number may appear modest at the national level, each trained nurse will make a significant impact on the healthcare system.
“To ensure high professional standards, the programme is conducted in close collaboration with the Malaysian Nursing Board and local MOH directors to comply with strict guidelines and clinical standards,” he added.
Beyond training general nurses, Wong said MPI also plans to expand its academic offerings to address Malaysia’s ageing population.
He noted that the institute intends to introduce programmes in eldercare as well as post-basic courses for professional development among practising nurses.
“We see this as part of our ongoing responsibility to support lifelong learning within the healthcare profession,” he said.
The initiative has also received strong backing from local private healthcare providers, including Rejang Medical Centre (RMC) and Borneo Medical Centre (BMC), who view it as an investment in their future workforce.
“We thank RMC and BMC for taking this bold step in investing in their future nursing workforce at MPI,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a statement, MPI announced that applications for the Diploma in Nursing are now open. School leavers who obtain at least credits in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations are eligible to apply.
Applicants must have credits in Bahasa Melayu, Mathematics (Basic/Modern/Additional), and Science (Science/Biology/Chemistry/Physics), as well as a pass in English and one additional subject.
The diploma is globally recognised and fully complies with guidelines accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the Malaysian Nursing Board.