PUTRAJAYA:
The Health Ministry aims to raise all of its nurses' qualifications from
diploma-level to degree.
Its
minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramniam said the majority of the 89,000 nurses in
the public healthcare sector have diplomas, with only 652 possessing degree
qualifications in nursing.
"Efforts
are being made to improve the nursing profession in terms of their knowledge,
achievements and career paths," he told reporters before chairing the
ministry's post-cabinet meeting today.
Dr
Subramaniam also said the current ratio of nurses to the country's population
stood at one nurse for every 297 people.
According
to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the recommended ratio for a country
such as Malaysia is 1:200. In 2011, it was reported the nurse ratio was at 1:
329. Nurses in Malaysia, he said, play vital roles especially in the interiors
as their contributions had significantly improved the people's well-being.
"Their
roles are crucial especially in addressing lifestyle diseases," Dr
Subramaniam said, adding that Malaysia would celebrate the national-level
Nurses Day tomorrow (May 12).
Lifestyle
diseases include atherosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke; obesity and type 2
diabetes; and diseases associated with smoking and alcohol and drug abuse.
On the
progress of drafting regulations related to vaping or e-cigarettes, he said
they were in the final stages and are expected to be completed before the
year-end. He said once the draft is finalised, it would be tabled before the
Cabinet. The regulations, he said, would cover various areas from
manufacturing, distribution to consumers.
Azura
Abas
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