Kota iskandar: The Johor State Government is working towards filling 1,342 vacant positions at Pasir Gudang Hospital by September this year to optimize hospital operations. Currently, only 41 percent of the 2,271 total positions have been filled, involving 929 staff members.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Health and Environment Committee Chairman Ling Tian Soon noted that the hospital is prioritizing recruitment to ensure that all wards can be fully operational. At the moment, Pasir Gudang Hospital offers 14 clinical services, including emergency care, general surgery, pediatrics, and orthopedics. The hospital has a capacity of 304 beds, but only 157 beds across nine out of the 14 wards are in use due to staffing shortages.

Ling emphasized that the goal is to have all beds fully operational by September following the staffing initiative. He stated that both the state government and the Health Ministry are intensifying efforts to deploy healthcare personnel, including medical officers, medical assistants, and nurses, in phases to address the issue.

The staffing challenges at Pasir Gudang Hospital have also caught the attention of Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail, who called for the expedited operationalization of the hospital during the opening of the state assembly sitting. Ling expressed his appreciation to the Regent for highlighting the issue, which has motivated the state government to enhance Johor's healthcare delivery system.