Pakistan to send nurses to address Malaysia’s workforce shortage

Malaysian nurse migration creates demand for skilled Pakistani professionals

ISLAMABAD / KUALA LUMPUR (MNTV) – Pakistan is set to dispatch female nurses to Malaysia to help address the country’s growing nursing shortage, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reports.

Pakistan’s Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) will oversee the recruitment, requiring candidates to hold a diploma in general nursing with post-basic specializations and a minimum of five years of experience. 

Eligible fields include coronary care, medical/surgical, ICU, pediatric ICU, neonatal ICU, and cardiac units. Applicants must be under 45 years old.

Malaysia’s nurse shortage has been exacerbated by the migration of its nursing staff to countries like Singapore and the Middle East, which offer significantly higher salaries due to favorable currency exchange rates. 

Malaysian Health Minister Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad has warned that the country could face a 60% shortfall in nursing staff by 2030.

“In Malaysia, we can’t provide the kind of salary offered overseas. 

Even established hospitals can’t afford it,” a hospital official told the New Straits Times. 

This inability to match competitive salaries has made overseas opportunities increasingly attractive for Malaysian nurses.

Pakistani nurses, known globally for their dedication and expertise, have long been in demand in countries such as the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and the Middle East. 

The current initiative marks a significant step in strengthening Pakistan-Malaysia cooperation in healthcare.

While details regarding the number of nurses to be sent and the duration of their service remain undisclosed, the move aligns with Pakistan’s broader trend of sending skilled workers abroad. 

According to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, Pakistan deploys over 800,000 workers internationally each year.