Sabah needs over 1,500 more nurses
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah requires another 1,554 nurses to fill vacancies, said state health director Dr Maria Suleiman.
Despite the shortage, she said health services are currently being optimised with the available 10,210 nurses across the state.
"We hope the Health Ministry will be able to fill these vacancies as soon as possible.
"In Sabah, we have three Health Ministry training institutes, here, in Sandakan, and in Tawau.
"We produce between 300 and 400 nursing graduates every year," she told reporters during the Nurses' Day celebration at Queen Elizabeth Hospital here.
The one-day event also saw all 21 hospitals organising blood donation programmes, targeting the collection of 1,000 pints.
On the rise in hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Sabah, Dr Maria said the situation remains under control.
"From Jan 1 to May 10, a total of 6,919 HFMD cases were recorded.
"However, cases have shown a declining trend due to continued control and monitoring measures," she added.
The event was launched by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, who represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
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