JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA - Johor and the Health Ministry plan to rehire retired medical officers and specialists as part of efforts to resolve the shortage of such personnel in 11 government hospitals in the state.

Other moves include hiring foreigners on contracts and offering incentives such as locum and 'full-paying patients' allowances, state Women, Family, Health and Community Development Committee chairman Dr Robia Kosai said.

She said that only 42.5% of the positions had been filled and that 77 foreigners had been hired to fill some of the vacancies.

'We are also working with the Higher Education Ministry and the Public Services Department to increase the intake of medical undergraduates,' she said.

Dr Robia said the shortage was also due to more medical officers and specialists moving to private hospitals and local universities.

Last year, 58 of them resigned for the private sector and universities, she said.

'The non-conducive working environment in government hospitals is another factor,' she added.

On another matter, Dr Robia said the 134 haemodialysis machines available in government hospitals statewide were not enough as they could only cater to 600 kidney patients.

'We are encouraging anyone who can donate such machines to do so,' she said.