JOHOR BAHRU: Only 90 nurses reported for work despite Public Services Department (PSD) sending 200 to Johor, as many opted to work in Singapore, said Johor health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.

He told Sin Chew Daily government hospitals in Johor are short of 2,800 nurses.

The state government requested the PSD to increase the number of nurses in Johor last year, but only few turned up for work, said Ling.

“After making the request with PSD, 200 nurses were sent but only 90 turned up for work eventually,” he said.

Despite the fact the number of nurses in Johor increased by 300 this year, hospitals in the state are still short of nurses, he said.

Many of them were sent to two government hospitals in Segamat and Johor Bahru districts, he added.

Nurses who were sent to Johor faced the issue of high cost of living and transportation, he said, adding that many left for Singapore when their contracts expired.