PM wants trained nurses to remain in the country

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has urged trained nurses to serve locally rather than opting to go abroad.

Noting that professional nurses had become a commodity in the job market, he said that about 400 nurses would leave the country annually to work overseas. Abdullah said this when launching the International Nurses Day (IND) 2007 attended by 2,500 nurses here yesterday.

The text of his speech was read out by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. The IND is celebrated on May 12 annually.

The Prime Minister hoped that the Malaysian Nurses Association and Health Ministry would ensure that the country would not face a dearth of trained nurses in the future. Malaysia currently has more than 60,000 nurses.

Abdullah stressed that human capital development should be given a priority by the nursing profession. Nurses with leadership skills and experience were being given the opportunity to become hospital directors, he said, adding that those holding the positions should serve as role models.

Source : The Sabah Times