Materia Medica Malaysiana

New Salary Scheme For Nurses With Higher Qualifications Approved

LANGKAWI, March 27 (Bernama) -- The government has approved a new pay scheme for nurses in government hospitals who have taken further courses or have degrees.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, who announced this Sunday, said he hoped the new scheme would motivate nurses to upgrade their knowledge and seek higher qualifications.
The date of implementation had not been decided, he said during a visit to Langkawi Hospital.
At present, nurses who wish to specialise are required to take further courses after which they will receive the same salary as ordinary nurses despite shouldering more duties.
Nurses who are degree holders are also paid the same as those who pass out from the basic nursing course.
On another matter, Dr Chua said the ministry would reveal the findings of a survey on waiting time for patients at government hospitals next month.
He said the ministry was sorting out the data from the survey which would include information on the hospitals with the longest and shortest waiting time for patients.