MOH to reopen four training institutes next year amid critical nurse shortage

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 15 — Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has announced four key strategies to tackle the critical nurse shortage in Malaysia. The shortage is evident with 10,557 vacancies among the 73,281 Grade U5 nurse positions. One strategy involves increasing the number of nursing graduates, with the intake of nurse trainees set to rise to 3,000 annually from 2025.

This will be supported by outsourcing up to 2,000 trainees per year to Public Higher Education Institutions and Private Higher Education Institutions. Four Integrated Local Knowledge Knowledge Management Institutes (ILKKM) branches in Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu, Muar, and Penang will reopen by October 2027, adding capacity for approximately 500 trainees.

This brings the total annual capacity of the Diploma in Nursing programme to 5,500 trainees. The second strategy focuses on expanding career pathways, with the Ministry of Health introducing 15 On-the-Job Training programs in September to allow staff to enhance their expertise while remaining in their jobs. The ministry is also implementing a Transition Diploma to facilitate the career progression of community nurses.

Lastly, the Public Service Department has granted the Ministry of Health autonomy in staffing management, reducing bureaucracy and enabling direct placement of graduates in the field. This exemption from Interim Contract Appointments will allow ILKKM Diploma in Nursing graduates to be absorbed directly into permanent positions upon successful completion of the programme.