The decision was made in response to concerns raised by Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi during a visit to Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI) and Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) in Johor Bahru at the end of last month.

“The health ministry has approved a special allocation of RM771,600 for the purchase of medical and non-medical assets to enable both wards to be opened immediately,” health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said in a statement.

Earlier this month, the health ministry said it would send additional doctors and nurses to Johor, which is facing a shortage of around 2,800 healthcare workers. This shortage has resulted in the complete closure of two wards at HSI.

Zaliha also said an additional RM634,916 has been allocated for the Johor health department to urgently procure non-medical assets for both HSI and HSA.

She added that there are 35 new permanent nursing positions in Johor awaiting approval, along with positions for assistant medical officers and other contract roles.

Besides that, the state is updating its database and implementing mapping measures to ensure optimum manpower distribution in government hospitals and clinics.