To address the issue, he said a collaboration between the public and private sectors can help improve the shortfall of nursing staff needed to meet healthcare demands in the country.

“I fully support any initiative from the private sector so that together we can not only develop health facilities but human resources as well.

“We can build hospitals using bricks and mortar but what is important are the staff. This is not just the doctors and specialists. It is also as important to have enough nurses.

“We are experiencing an acute shortage of nurses,” he said after the launch of a 624-bed hospital by KL International Hospital Sdn Bhd at the KL Wellness City Gallery Bukit Jalil here today.

At the event, he witnessed the signing of a memorandum of agreement for nursing scholarships between KL Wellness City and six colleges and universities, offering RM25 million in sponsorship for nursing education in Malaysia.

The institutions involved are MAIWP International University College, International Medical College, International Medical University, Adventist College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Lincoln University College and the Oriental Nilam College.