04-07-2025
Health Ministry dismisses viral claim nurses are underpaid
PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry has dismissed viral claims suggesting that the nursing profession is no longer attractive due to the lack of allowances and pension benefits, confirming that critical allowances are still paid under eligible service schemes.
"The Critical Allowance will continue to be provided to eligible and approved service schemes, but at a fixed rate (based on the last paid amount) from December 1, 2024, in line with the implementation of the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA)," the ministry stated via the government's Biar Betul fact-checking channel on Facebook.
For new appointments to the public service starting Feb 1, 2024, the appointments will be on an interim contract basis for a period of three years, it added.
The ministry also mentioned that the government will review and decide on a new method for permanent appointments, including issues related to pension schemes.
"The health profession, particularly the field of nursing, will remain the backbone of the national healthcare service," it said.
Additionally, the ministry dismissed claims that the 45-hour work week has put nurses under pressure, making the profession unattractive to the younger generation.
The ministry was clarifying viral claims that indicated critical allowances were no longer paid to new recruits from January 1, 2020.
