Johor's race to retain healthcare workers
JOHOR BARU: The issue of Johor healthcare workers moving to Singapore for greener pastures will be brought up to the Health Ministry in a meeting soon, says a state executive councillor.
Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon, however, said that the matter is not something new.
'We have been informed that this has been happening in the past several years.
'There are hospitals in Singapore offering very attractive packages to healthcare workers in Johor, and some of them have accepted these offers,' he said at a press conference after the state-level Nurses' Day celebration here yesterday.
Ling said this in response to a question from the media about claims on social media that Singapore's Health Ministry is actively recruiting Malaysian healthcare workers with lucrative salaries.
'We will engage with the Health Ministry to address the matter.
'This includes increasing the number of trainees and providing attractive offers and opportunities to our healthcare workers so that they feel appreciated in serving in the government.
'We also hope to instil a sense of heart and soul to care for our homeland, so that together, we can offer our services to the country,' he added.
Ling said the discussion with the Health Ministry will also include talks on the replacement of healthcare workers who will be transferred to Hospital Pasir Gudang (HPG), which will be opened soon.
'Some of the staff members will be transferred from existing health facilities in Johor to ensure the hospital can begin operations as scheduled on Aug 1.'
Ling said that HPG, which is set to be opened in phases, will need experienced healthcare workers.
'As such, there is a need to bring in healthcare workers from other government hospitals, including Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA),' he said, adding that about 40 healthcare workers are expected to be transferred from HSA, one of the busiest hospitals in Johor.
On another matter, Ling said that the state government will be having discussions with the Cabinet over the construction of Hospital Sultanah Aminah 2.
'The Health Ministry has come up with a proposal outlining the hospital's needs, such as which departments are required and the number of beds.
'The public-private partnership unit needs to prepare a paper on the implementation method, which will then be submitted to the Cabinet,' he added.
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