KUALA LUMPUR, 1 September 2005 — For nearly 30 years now, Malaysian nurses have had a unique opportunity to interact with a wide spectrum of the Saudi community — from Bedouins to royalty. The mission of Malaysian nurses did not stop in caring for Saudi patients and families. They also took the opportunity to introduce Malaysia, its people and culture long before the government started to promote tourism in the Middle East.
The comments and feedback from our nurses suggest that many Saudi patients are aware of Malaysia. They invariably ask about the country especially when they know that the nurse looking after them is from Malaysia. The Malaysian nurses, though small in number working all over the Kingdom, are proud to have done some ambassadorial duties!
Malaysian nurses work in many of the Kingdom’s top hospitals like the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, King Abdulaziz Medical Cities’ National Guard Health Systems, MOI Security Forces Hospital, MODA’s Armed Forces Hospital System, university hospitals and Ministry of Health hospitals.
They have found an oasis of opportunity for professional development and continuing education that is not found in most parts of the world. Malaysian nurses have seized this golden opportunity to upgrade their skills, receive international certificates and pursue degree programs at Bachelors, Masters and even PhD levels, on a distance-learning basis.
The bringing of highly-qualified and experienced international nurse educators to the Malaysian shores has been very well received and supported by the nursing profession, Malaysian Nursing Board, and the Ministry of Health.
These programs are offered by the Melorita Nursing Academy free of charge to participants.