Pasir Gudang Hospital to Reach Full Capacity by December

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The Pasir Gudang Hospital (HPG) is set to reach full operational capacity by December, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The hospital, which began operations in August last year, currently operates at 48% staffing capacity with 1,075 personnel.

Gradual Staffing Increase

Dzulkefly outlined a phased approach to staffing, targeting 66% capacity by September. The hospital aims to have 16 delivery rooms and 304 beds fully operational by December. The Staffing Action Plan is in progress, with medical officers (MOs) already at 85.4% capacity as of Tuesday, filling 176 out of 206 positions.

The minister announced that permanent appointments for this year are open to fill remaining vacancies. HPG currently offers 10 basic specialist services, with Ophthalmology set to launch within the next six months.

Specialist and Nursing Staffing Updates

Medical specialist staffing is expected to rise to 48.05% with the arrival of nine pre-gazettement specialists between this month and February 2027. Compared to the current 36.36%, this increase will enhance HPG’s ability to provide specialized care. The addition of 80 assistant medical officers (AMOs) in early October will boost AMO staffing from 68% to 91%.

Nursing staff levels, currently at 32.24%, are projected to increase to 40.42% after 70 new nurses join in September. Recruitment for other roles, including radiographers, medical laboratory technologists, dietitians, and physiotherapists, is ongoing to raise the current 45% staffing level.

Addressing Staff Shortages

To address immediate staffing challenges, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is implementing a cluster and visiting specialist approach. This strategy ensures patients receive appropriate care and emergency cases are treated promptly. The ministry is also pursuing structural reforms for long-term solutions, recognizing the need for sustainable workforce planning.

Initiatives include expanding the Specialist Training Pathway with 600 annual sponsorship slots and offering financial incentives like Specialist Incentive Payments and Pre-Gazetted Specialist Incentive Payments (BIPPW). The capacity of MOH Training Institutes (ILKKM) has increased to 3,000 trainees, with a goal of 5,000 by October 2027 through the opening of four new colleges.