Latest news with #JohorHealthandEnvironmentCommittee
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
One nurse for 14 patients: MB flags Johor's healthcare worker shortage
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has sounded the alarm over the shortage of healthcare workers in the state, describing the situation as "serious and critical". He said he and Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon recently carried out a spot check at Hospital Sultan Ismail, the second largest specialist hospital in the state. "The reality is very worrying. The shortage of healthcare workers in major hospitals involves various critical categories, including specialist doctors, medical officers, assistant medical officers, nurses, and other support staff," he said in a Facebook post. He said the increasing work pressure not only affects the morale of the staff but also impacts the quality of treatment received by patients. "For example, in some wards, a nurse has to manage more than 10 to 14 patients in one shift, compared to an ideal ratio of 1:6 or a maximum of 1:8. This situation is not only unfair to the staff but also unsafe for patients if left unaddressed in the long term." Onn Hafiz said the state was concerned over the situation and would continue to provide support where it could. Additionally, he said the state government will raise the issue with the Health Ministry and related departments. "I will personally appeal for the immediate filling of healthcare positions in Johor without compromise."
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Over 70pct of seized vapes contain drugs, says Health Ministry
KULAI: The Health Ministry is intensifying its collaboration with the police to combat the growing threat of vape products laced with illegal narcotics, particularly synthetic cannabinoids and amphetamines. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said a total of 96 investigation papers were opened between January 2023 and March this year over vape products that tested positive for banned substances. "More than 70 per cent of these cases involved vape liquids confirmed to contain synthetic drugs such as synthetic cannabinoids and amphetamines," he told reporters after officiating the World No Tobacco Day and World Tuberculosis Day events here today. Also present were Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon and Johor Health Department director Dr Mohtar Pungut @ Ahmad. Lukanisman said the ministry's laboratories are now working closely with the police to further analyse seized samples and trace their source of production. "We are targeting enforcement at the manufacturing level, including factories and vape liquid producers, to determine the composition of these substances. "While we've yet to identify the specific producers or origin of the drug-laced vape liquids, our data-gathering efforts are ongoing and will support enforcement under relevant laws, including those under the jurisdiction of the police," he said. In May, the ministry set up a special committee to monitor the suspected abuse of narcotics through vaping. Health deputy director-general (Public Health) Dr Ismuni Bohari had said the ministry was reviewing current enforcement provisions under the newly implemented Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024. Lukanisman stressed that the issue of drug-laced vape products must not be taken lightly, as it poses a serious threat, particularly to teenagers and unsuspecting consumers. "We will not allow drug-laced vape products to continue circulating in the market. "Our next step is to identify the syndicates behind their distribution," he added.
Sinar Daily
5 days ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Better salaries needed to stop health workers exodus to Singapore
Attractive salary offers from hospitals in Singapore to healthcare workers in Johor is not a new issue. 10 Jul 2025 07:45pm Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the intake of more trainees, particularly doctors and nurses, must also be given serious attention. - 123RF photo JOHOR BAHRU - The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been urged to consider offering better salaries to address the issue of healthcare workers choosing to work in Singapore due to attractive offers. Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the intake of more trainees, particularly doctors and nurses, must also be given serious attention. He noted that attractive salary offers from hospitals in Singapore to healthcare workers in Johor is not a new issue. "Some hospitals in Singapore are offering very attractive packages to healthcare workers in Johor, and some have already accepted those offers. "What we aim to do is to discuss with MOH on increasing the number of trainees and offering better pay and opportunities so they feel appreciated serving in the public healthcare system,' he said at a press conference after the Johor State-level Nurses Day 2025 celebration here today. Also present was Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. Ling was commenting on a viral post on social media about job offers for Malaysian doctors in Singapore, with lucrative salaries reaching over RM300,000 a year. He said such efforts to improve remuneration would help boost the commitment of healthcare workers to continue serving in the country. Earlier, some 1,000 nurses attended the Johor State-level Nurses Day celebration, where Onn Hafiz also announced an allocation of RM400,000 for the welfare of nurses in the state. - BERNAMA More Like This
The Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Better salaries needed to stop health workers leaving for Singapore
JOHOR BAHRU: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been called upon to enhance salary packages and training opportunities to curb the growing trend of healthcare professionals leaving for Singapore. Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon highlighted the need for competitive remuneration to retain talent in Malaysia's public healthcare sector. Ling noted that Singaporean hospitals have been actively recruiting Malaysian healthcare workers with significantly higher salaries, some exceeding RM300,000 annually. He stressed that this issue is not new but requires urgent attention to prevent further brain drain. 'We must discuss with MOH to increase trainee intake and improve pay structures so that our healthcare workers feel valued,' Ling said during a press conference after the Johor State-level Nurses Day 2025 celebration. He added that better incentives would strengthen their commitment to serving locally. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who was also present, announced an allocation of RM400,000 for the welfare of nurses in the state. The event saw around 1,000 nurses in attendance, underscoring the importance of recognising their contributions. The viral social media post about Singapore's high-paying offers has intensified discussions on Malaysia's need to match regional salary standards. Ling emphasised that addressing this gap is crucial for sustaining the country's healthcare workforce. – Bernama
New Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Less waiting, better care: Johor MB's mission at Sultanah Aminah Hospital
Johor Baru: Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi visited Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) to oversee the progress of several key initiatives aimed at improving healthcare services, reducing patient congestion, cutting down waiting times, and enhancing overall efficiency. Among the central features of the visit was a review of Klinik Wakaf An-Nur, a community-based outpatient clinic now operating five days a week for non-critical cases. The clinic provides an alternative for patients seeking treatment for minor ailments, helping ease pressure on HSA's Emergency Department, particularly during peak hours. "I have directed an increase in the number of doctors to expand treatment capacity and reduce patient waiting times," Onn Hafiz said in his Facebook post yesterday. Onn Hafiz, a hands-on leader, has a strong penchant for visiting government service providers and listening to public concerns as part of his commitment to addressing social issues in local communities. Onn Hafiz said that, together with Johor Health and Environment Committee Chairman Ling Tian Soon, he visited the hospital to review the progress of key initiatives aimed at enhancing patient comfort and healthcare services. In line with the state's digitization efforts, HSA will soon implement a Smart Queue System (SQS) in July, which allows patients to check appointments and obtain queue numbers online, he said. The system only requires patients to arrive 30 minutes before their scheduled time, a major improvement over long, early-morning queues that have been the norm. "This is a major step forward in modernising our public healthcare system," said Onn Hafiz. "The SQS will not only streamline patient flow but also improve transparency and minimize overcrowding in hospital waiting areas." Onn Hafiz also inspected infrastructure upgrades, including improvements to HSA's main power supply and electrical systems, which are critical to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare operations. He said that Ward West 5 will soon be reopened, with thanks extended to NGOs and donors who contributed beds and mattresses to support the ward's reactivation. "I am aware and deeply mindful that many people of Johor are still waiting for better, faster, and more compassionate healthcare services," Onn Hafiz said. With surging medical and healthcare costs, many Malaysians are turning to public hospitals, which offer quality services at a fraction of the cost of private hospitals. However, this has led to congestion and long queues. Public healthcare also faces shortages of qualified medical professionals.
