18/08/2026
Sharing my thoughts during the 29th Joint Malaysian Singapore Nursing Conference 12 August - 14 August 2026πππ
Zahrah Saad
Zahrah Saad
Jururawat
Jururawat & Penjaga Warga Tua serta Pesakit
Delegasi Jururawat Malaysia
Dean
Nursing Professional Group
Nursing Division MOH
KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN MALAYSIA
Persatuan Jururawat Malaysia
Male Nursing USM
Nurse2Go
Jururawat Malaysia diiktiraf secara global ππΌππΌπππ
Sessi Q&A bersama Ybhg Dato Dr Azman Timbalan Ketua Pegarah
KKM.
Inilah isu hati dan maruah profesion jururawat yang harus diambil perhatian kapada Pembuat DasarππΌππΌππΌ
Kalau kita halang, kita rugiππΌππΌππΌ. Kalau kita urus dengan bijak, kita boleh jadikan *"Brain Drain" jadi "Brain Gain"* π€²πππππΌ
*Assalamualaikum and good morning to our respected policy makers, panelists and guests.πΉπΉπΉ
My name is Prof. Bonda Zahrah Saad RN 9081. ( SON Penang 3/1971) ..πππ
, and today I want to speak from the heart about our nurses.πππππ
We are all worried about nursing retention. Yes, nurses are leaving for better income abroad. But instead of seeing this only as a loss, I propose that we reframe it as an opportunityπΊππΌβπΌβ
β
First, why do nurses go?
It is not only about money. They want exposure to world-class facilities, new technology, and best practices. They want to grow as professionals.
So my proposal is this: Let us create a structured "Professional Overseas Exposure Program"*
Allow our nurses to go abroad for a certain period, for example 2οΈβ£ to 3οΈβ£ years, with a clear agreement that they will return to serve Malaysia.with Certain Criteria and Bonding Contract.
This is not losing our nurses. This is *investing in them*.
*What are the benefits to the country?*
1. *Brain Gain, not Brain Drain*
When they come back, they bring home new skills, new systems, and new attitudes. They become our trainers, our leaders, our agents of change in hospitals. They benchmark our healthcare with the best in the world.
2. Economic Benefit
Nurses working abroad send remittances home. They increase our countryβs foreign income. And when they return with savings, they invest and contribute to our economy.
3. Higher Retention and Job Satisfaction
When nurses know they have this pathway, they will feel valued and not trapped. They will be happier. And a happy nurse is a nurse who will stay longer when they return. Charity begins at home, but giving them wings makes them come back with more to give.
4. Global Networking for Malaysiaβs Healthcare
Our nurses abroad become Malaysiaβs ambassadors. They build links for research, training, and technology transfer between our hospitals and world-class institutions.
πΉπΉπΉπΉπ
In conclusion, Yang Berbahagia .*
Let us not build walls. Let us build bridges.
Let us shift from fearing brain drain, to managing brain gain.
Give our nurses permission to grow, with a promise to return.
Because when they return, Malaysia does not just get a nurse back.
We get a better nurse back.
Thank you. Wassalam.
NB.
1. Bond & Agreement Buat kontrak "Study Leave + Service Bond" mereka pulang berkhidmat 2x ganda tempoh.
2. Recognition Dan boleh le Tubuhkan "Returning Nurse Fellowship" - beri jawatan khas, elaun, dan laluan cepat jadi jururawat pakar/clinical leader.
3. Digital Tracking: Wujudkan pangkalan data "Malaysian Nurses Abroad" supaya senang panggil balik bila perlu.
4. Public-Private Partnership*: Galakkan hospital swasta taja jururawat ke luar negara, dengan syarat pulang berkhidmat di Malaysia.
5. Well-being Factor: Ramai burnout. Bagi mereka breathing space" di luar, mereka pulang dengan semangat baru dan kurang stres.
Moga Allah permudahkan suara ini sampai ke hati pembuat dasar π€²
Please silakan kongsi dan share with your fellow friends agar sampai kepada yang berkenaan.
πππ18/8/2026.
