State health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said this was based on a report from Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA), Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) and Pasir Gudang Hospital, which revealed that all three healthcare facilities were experiencing manpower shortages that had disrupted operations and placed an additional burden on existing staff.

“We take seriously the burden borne by healthcare workers and it is time for the health ministry to give the matter due attention.

“We will present the full data next Friday and push for an immediate solution,” Ling said in a Facebook post today.

He said a virtual meeting was held yesterday to coordinate follow-up action, involving state health department director Dr Mohtar Pungut, HSA director Dr Nizam Subahir, HSI director Dr Zuraini Zainal and Pasir Gudang Hospital director Dr Suhaila Abu Hassan, along with several other senior officers.