Dato’ G Kumaar Aamaan, Chief Editor and Activist, Supports Proposal by President of the Malayan Nurses Union (MNU), Saaidah Athman

MNU Urges Bachelor’s Degree as the Minimum Qualification for Nurses

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to consider adopting a Bachelor’s degree as the minimum qualification for nurses and midwives seeking to work in the nursing sector.

President of the Malayan Nurses Union (MNU), Saaidah Athman, stated that the proposal had been submitted to the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) and the Nursing Division within the ministry. However, no response has been received from the relevant authorities to date.

“Requiring a Bachelor’s degree for entry will allow nurses to earn a higher salary compared to the current diploma qualification,” she said, as reported by Berita Harian today.

She also pointed out that neighboring countries like Thailand have set a Bachelor’s degree as the minimum qualification for the profession since the year 2000. Meanwhile, Singapore has introduced advanced practice nurse registration at the Master’s degree level. The Philippines and Indonesia have also taken proactive steps in upgrading qualifications in the nursing sector.

“This upgrade aligns with the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Plan 2021-2025, which recommends a Bachelor’s degree as the minimum requirement for nursing and midwifery,” she added.

Meanwhile, activist and Chief Editor of Ottran GK News, Dato’ G Kumaar Aamaan, has also urged the Ministry of Health to take this proposal seriously. According to him, nurses play a crucial role as the frontline in ensuring public health is well-maintained.

“The health advice and knowledge provided by nurses must be accurate, scientific, and professional as they are the closest to the people,” he said.

Previously, media reports revealed that government and private hospitals in Malaysia prefer hiring diploma graduates due to lower salary costs. This situation has caused many local nurses with Bachelor’s degrees to migrate to countries like Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Brunei, and the United Kingdom (UK), which recognize their skills and qualifications.

This call is hoped to open the eyes of stakeholders and elevate the standard of the nursing profession in Malaysia.