KUCHING: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called for urgent national leadership intervention over nursing allowances that have remained unchanged for 17 years.
In a strongly worded press statement, MMA’s President, Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo, highlighted the long-standing RM100 monthly post-basic allowance received by specialist nurses, describing it as a reflection of misplaced national priorities.
He underscored the critical role played by nurses in intensive care units, emergency and trauma departments, dialysis centres, oncology wards and neonatal care units, noting that hospital systems would be unable to function effectively without their expertise.
“These are the individuals who care for patients at their most vulnerable moments. Yet, their allowance has remained unchanged for nearly two decades,” he said.
The statement emphasised that the issue extends beyond remuneration, warning that it now poses a risk to the integrity of the country’s healthcare system.
Malaysia’s public health sector is currently facing a nursing vacancy rate of nearly 18 per cent, with over 14,700 positions unfilled out of 84,000 established posts as of September 2025.
The shortage is particularly acute among post-basic nurses in critical care, where the loss of experienced personnel has a disproportionate impact.
Dr Thirunavukarasu noted that when skilled nurses leave, valuable expertise is lost, and rebuilding such capacity would take years.
He added that many nurses, the majority of whom are women, continue to shoulder both demanding shift work and family responsibilities while maintaining their professional commitment.
The association acknowledged that remuneration matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Department and the Ministry of Finance, but stressed that both agencies ultimately report within the national administrative framework led by the Prime Minister.
“At this stage, it is no longer about process or review cycles. It is about whether a decision is made,” he said.
The association warned that further delays would send a negative signal not only to nurses but to the broader healthcare system regarding national priorities.
It has therefore called for the immediate increase of the post-basic nursing allowance to at least RM500 per month, alongside the introduction of a structured mechanism for periodic review.
“This does not require another study. It requires resolve,” Dr Thirunavukarasu stressed, urging decisive action from national leadership.
