APHM president Dr Kuljit Singh said the association had received a letter from the Registrar of the Nursing Board, stating that the exemption will be effective from Oct 1, 2023 to Sept 3, 2024, with the possibility of extensions pending re-application and approvals.

“This will instantly alleviate the strain on private hospitals due to the ongoing congestion and it will also allow private hospitals to create more beds,” he said in a statement.

“APHM’s repeated request has been granted, and patients seeking private care will now have better access and earlier admittance with available beds.”

The exemption will also enable private hospitals to assist public hospital patients as part of the Public-Private Partnership, he added.

In June, health news portal Code Blue quoted Kuljit as saying that Malaysia was facing a nursing shortage, forcing private hospitals to seek the government’s intervention in order to hire foreign nurses.

He said Malaysian nurses were increasingly seeking employment overseas due to the significantly higher salaries they could earn.

Kuljit also said the exemption underscores the health ministry’s concern for private healthcare delivery that complements the public healthcare system.

“We hope that the Healthcare White Paper will enhance the public-private collaboration, allowing individuals to receive appropriate care on time, regardless of their financial situation, and ensuring the long-term viability of the workforce,” he said.