Health Ministry to Upgrade Nursing College to University College

(Photo Source: www.imunews.imu.edu.my)

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, said that the government colleges are only accredited to offer diplomas but are equipped to teach degree courses.

“The facilities and manpower at our colleges are better than the private institutions that offer degrees but because of this handicap we cannot, so we hope to upgrade our status,” he said.

According to Dr Subramaniam, the ministry would have a meeting with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) regarding the conditions and approval for the university college status of one of its nursing colleges soon. He also added that the accreditation process would be completed within a year.

The plan envisions to add more potential and knowledge to nurses working in government hospitals where the majority hold diploma qualifications.

Dr Subramaniam confirmed that currently, positions for nurses with degree qualifications are only limited to 362 openings for U41 grades given that there are more than 2,000 nurses who graduated with a degree.

“There are many who possess degrees but the positions are limited, so most have to hold diploma-level posts, and face difficulty in being upgraded,” he said.

Meanwhile, the minister noted that the government is doing their best to increase the welfare of nurses.

"Our secretary-general is looking into the matter personally and we are trying to resolve it," he added.