By Vijaya Kumaran K.K.Nair , MMIM
Mba.it (MMU), Cert. Multimedia (Manila), Cert. Taxation, Cert. Master trainer (HR), Ll.B (Hons)(ABER, UK), Dip.Ed., B.A.(Hons)(UM)In lieu of the global shift in the healthcare system , the Ministry of Health of Malaysia calls for an impetus in the nursing education to produce the next generation of nurses that readily heeds the call of challenge , that is, “ to provide healthcare that is “equitable, affordable, efficient, technologically appropriate, environmentally adapt-able and consumer friendly, with emphasis on quality, innovation, health promotion and respect for human dignity and which promotes individual responsibility and community participation towards an enhanced quality of life ,” 1 The call is imperative and responding to it is crucial as well as immediate.
Introduction
Malaysia is gaining a status of being a developed country, and congruous to this are the various challenges it has to venture – the healthcare sector included It is imperative that the healthcare provided be at a higher standard than it is today. Nurses, who hold a key role in providing healthcare, must be accorded due privileges, in particular, an upgraded system of education, as most of them only have either Certificates or Diploma in Nursing.
To date, Malaysia has approximately only 15% of its population has tertiary education (U.S. has 63%, U.K. 24%, and Japan 31%). To increase the current percentage to 40% by the year 2020 is one of the challenges being undertaken. `
Nursing in Malaysia has remained almost in status quo since the country’s independence in 1963, and has not made a significant impact, as far as the healthcare delivery system is concerned. As such, improvement in this area of healthcare delivery system is immediately called for. It is important that the nursing profession becomes proactive to meet the challenge of the times.
The Vision: A client-centred health care delivery
Nurses, as members of the healthcare team, play an essential role in the realization of the vision of the health ministry. The nursing service provided by nurses must meet the expectations and needs of the people of a fully developed Malaysia – which is beyond the traditional doctor-dependent health care.
Today’s nurses are expected to provide nursing care beyond the traditional practice we are all accustomed to doing and seeing. They are responsible for effecting the transition from doctor dependent healthcare to client-centred practice that is vital for the advancement of nursing in Malaysia. Nurses of the future are expected to know more, accomplish more, and do better. Being equipped with a broad spectrum of knowledge, skills ,and attitudes that will assist them in fulfilling their roles as effective healthcare providers become more imperative.
There are factors that have implications to the nursing practice. Among those are the spiraling cost of hospitalization, which result in healthcare being delivered more and more in the community; and emphasis on current healthcare management: prevention, early detection of disease, wellness, and client empowerment.
Moreover, the concept of holistic care, meaning, the patient is seen with respect to his or her person, family, and community, not just the disease. Today’s nurses must be competent to provide nursing care in the hospitals as well as in the clients’ home and anywhere (e.g. workplaces, factories, schools) in the community…
Read more of this article
- Nursing in Malaysia
- Moving Forward
- Nursing Shortage : A Global Scenario
- Understanding Demand & Supply
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