Train more locals as nurses – Nangka rep

SIBU – Irrespective of the economic climate, nursing profession is set to grow rapidly fuelled by the country’s growing population coupled with government’s effort to build more hospitals to provide better healthcare for the people.

As such, Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee said it was most important that more locals be trained as nurses as they are well-versed with the local culture, adding that any reliance on foreign expertise may not be beneficial in the long run.

In fact, such trend was stated by Kolej ITA’s CEO Datuk Sri Dr Benny Lee during his opening remarks at the convocation earlier, saying that Malaysia needs of more nurses given the current ratio of one nurse to 468 patients, which is still short of World Health Organisation’s (WHO) one to 200.

“Nursing is a very important and noble profession as nurses are the front liners who interact with patients and care for them. They provide and update doctors on the status of the patients’ health and medical conditions,” Dr Annuar told reporters after the convocation ceremony at a leading hotel here yesterday.

The UK trained medical expert foresees the growing demand for physiotherapists, laboratory technicians and radiographers on top of nurses’ services.

“Definitely, we will need more nurses in tandem with the growing population and the government building more hospitals to provide better healthcare to people,” the assemblyman noted, suggesting Kolej ITA to expand its curriculum to cater for other medical disciplines.

Dr Annuar did not agree with the perception that nursing profession is meant for females only.

“I don’t think this is true as there are some medical fields where there are more demand for male nurses compared to females,” he explained, pointing out that Sibu being strategically located is an ideal place to attain education.

Earlier in his speech, Dr Annuar reminded the 95 graduates to serve beyond that of monetary rewards to uphold the profession’s good name among members of the public.

Citing Florence Nightingale, who started nursing care, he said the noble profession would require them to make sacrifices to nurse and care patients back to health.

Added Dr Annuar: “We must possess the right attitude and discharge our responsibility professionally. We must maintain a high level of discipline and provide quality services. Otherwise, the good name of the profession will be destroyed and people will not respect us.”

He urged the graduates to adopt the culture of lifelong learning where learning should not stop after their graduation.

Being nurses, they need to constantly update themselves with the latest information, he said.

Meanwhile, three graduates received the excellent awards for their high achievement.

The CEO excellent award went to Masnorita Omak.