{
  "id": 17727897,
  "title": "Health ministry short of 1,176 drivers, including for ambulances",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/health-ministry-short-of-1-176-drivers-including-for-ambulances",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T02:02:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/11/02/health-ministry-short-of-1-176-drivers-including-for-ambulances"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The health ministry in Malaysia is currently facing a shortage of 1,176 drivers, including those needed for ambulances, according to a recent report. This lack of manpower is expected to persist until April 2027. The shortage is due to the postponement of recruitment in 2024 to align with the implementation of a new scheme under the Public Service Remuneration System. As a result, existing drivers are now taking on heavier workloads, raising concerns about potential burnout.\n\nThe drivers, now officially known as general service assistants, are categorized as skilled service. The new scheme necessitates a closer examination of candidates' qualifications to ensure they are suitable and competent for the role, particularly for ambulances. The ministry aims to fill these vacancies across the country in stages starting from April 2027. As of September 30, out of 8,863 driver posts, 7,687 have been filled.\n\nThe shortfall is most prominent in Peninsular Malaysia, with 1,003 vacancies, followed by Sarawak with 92, Sabah with 73, and Labuan with 8. In a call for action, a health ministry driver union urged the government to promptly fill these vacancies to maintain the optimal functioning of the public ambulance service. The union's president, Reostam Dzahar, highlighted that the staffing shortage has led to increased workloads for drivers, contributing to some instances of burnout.",
  "summary": "The lack of manpower is reportedly expected to persist until April next year, caused by a postponement of recruitment by SPA in 2024.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Health Ministry faces 1,176-driver shortage, including for ambulances",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/health-ministry-faces-1-176-driver-shortage-including-for-ambulances",
        "published": "2026-11-02T01:38:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Health Ministry faces shortage of 1,176 drivers, including ambulance personnel",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/health-ministry-faces-shortage-of-1-176-drivers-including-ambulance",
        "published": "2026-11-02T02:37:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}