By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 17: Sarawak’s healthcare system is facing a manpower crunch, with 69 nursing vacancies reported in the Kuching Division alone—but there is a glimmer of hope as over 800 healthcare professionals have expressed interest in returning to serve.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, in a speech delivered by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng during the Nursing Professional Development Seminar today, said the State is ready to absorb the returning professionals to strengthen its overstretched health workforce.
“I’ve been informed that over 800 healthcare professionals have expressed interest in coming back to serve. We are prepared with positions to welcome them,” he said at the event held at Sarawak State Library (Pustaka) in conjunction with World Nurses Day 2025.
He noted that Kuching Division alone still has 69 unfilled nursing positions across various grades, particularly in outpatient clinics and maternal and child health services.
“With the rollout of new programmes and the 2025 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), our implementation efforts will face increasing challenges.
“Nurses are especially needed in outpatient clinics and in maternal and child health services. These gaps directly affect healthcare outcomes and, ultimately, our economic progress,” he added.
Dr Sim also welcomed the Ministry of Health Malaysia’s recent move to relax entry requirements for nursing programmes, expressing hope that it would attract more young people into the profession. – DayakDaily
