# Malaysia healthcare nursing workforce reforms > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/malaysia-healthcare-nursing-workforce-reforms > Updated: 2026-08-20T12:31:02.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2. The Malaysian Ministry of Health is implementing reforms to address a critical nursing shortage, which saw 10,557 vacancies reported as of June 30. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad attributed the deficit to retirements, migration, and private sector competition. To mitigate the shortage, the Ministry plans to increase trainee intake to 3,000 annually starting in 2025, aiming for 13,345 graduates from the Institute of Health Training Malaysia by 2030. The strategy includes reopening four training branches by October 2027 and outsourcing up to 2,000 trainee places to other institutions. Additional measures involve expanding career pathways through 15 on-the-job training programs and offering transition diplomas to community nurses. Furthermore, the Ministry has received approval to allow certain nursing graduates to bypass interim contract appointments, enabling them to be absorbed directly into permanent positions upon registration. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-20: Koon’s Town Primary Health Care Clinic opens in Liberia Liberia's Ministry of Health has opened the Koon’s Town Primary Health Care Clinic in Montserrado County, supported by the French government and various international development partners. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/healthcare-reforms-underway-in-malaysia-and-liberia ### 2026-08-15: Ministry of Health Malaysia outlines strategies to tackle nursing shortage Malaysia's Ministry of Health is implementing three strategies to combat a critical nursing shortage, including increasing trainee intakes to 3,000 annually and expanding career development programs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ministry-of-health-malaysia-outlines-strategies-to-tackle-nursing-shortage --- Cite as: Malaysia healthcare nursing workforce reforms. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/malaysia-healthcare-nursing-workforce-reforms