Indonesian Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah and her Singaporean counterpart Minister Tan See Leng explore opportunities for Indonesian nurses to meet Singapore’s healthcare demands

INDONESIAN Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah met with Singaporean Minister of Manpower, Tan See Leng, on Monday, 5th February 2024, to discuss the deployment of Indonesian nurses to address healthcare workforce shortages in Singapore. Minister Fauziyah expressed optimism about Indonesian nurses filling the growing demand in Singapore’s health sector during the meeting, held in Singapore.

In a statement released by her office on Tuesday, Minister Fauziyah revealed plans to send enrolled and registered nurses who have successfully passed the Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) Exam, conducted in Jakarta, in 2024. This initiative follows the placement of 60 healthcare assistants in Singapore in 2023. Fauziyah emphasized the importance of meeting Singapore’s increasing healthcare demands, particularly with the rising elderly population in the country.

The meeting highlighted the pressing needs in Singapore’s healthcare sector, driven by demographic shifts. Minister Fauziyah noted that one in five Singaporeans is currently aged 65 years and above, with projections indicating a rise to one in four by 2030. In response, Singapore requires additional migrant workers to ensure the optimal functioning of its economy.

Addressing the demographic advantage in Indonesia, Minister Fauziyah highlighted the country’s readiness to deploy workers to various sectors in Singapore, including food and beverage, hospitality, and retail. Minister Tan See Leng acknowledged the quality and assistance provided by Indonesian nurses, expressing Singapore’s openness to welcoming more Indonesian healthcare professionals to meet the needs of Indonesian patients in Singaporean hospitals.

Source: Antara News