A total of 440 healthcare professionals from the Ministry of Health (MOH) left Malaysia between 2020 and 2024 to pursue opportunities abroad, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He revealed that the figure includes five medical specialists, 54 medical officers, and 381 nurses, based on declarations made in resignation notices to their respective department heads.
Dzulkefly said the main factor was the lure of more competitive salaries in developed countries, coupled with the higher foreign exchange rate against the ringgit.
“The migration of professional talent is not new and is also seen in other developing countries. The key driver remains competitive salaries and the exchange rate advantage in developed or high-income nations,” he said.
Currently, the government’s pay and incentives for civil servants, including healthcare workers, are aligned with Malaysia’s fiscal capacity.
He was responding in a written reply posted on Parliament’s website to a question from MP Datuk Ros Suryati Alang regarding the number of healthcare professionals, including nurses, who have migrated abroad since 2020.
To address the issue, Dzulkefly said various initiatives have been introduced, including continuous recruitment. Between 2020 and 2024, 4,776 medical specialists were accredited, 13,349 contract medical officers were given permanent appointments, and 8,121 new nurses were hired.
Additionally, the government announced salary adjustments for civil servants — an 8% increase effective Dec 1, 2024, and another 7% increase starting Jan 1, 2026.
“MOH will continue engaging with central agencies to improve incentives and benefits for healthcare personnel. We are committed to sustaining a resilient, inclusive, and robust healthcare system for the well-being of the people and medical staff,” he said.
