THE NURSING PROFESSION: DRIVING NATIONAL WELLBEING AND ECONOMY

Each year on 12th May, the world celebrates International Nurses Day to honour the service and sacrifice of nurses worldwide. For 2025, the World Health Organisation has chosen the theme "Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies" conveying the powerful message that nurses are not merely caregivers but drivers of a more sustainable economic future.

The nursing profession has played a crucial role not only in saving lives but also in supporting national economic stability and advancement. In this era, nursing is no longer confined to traditional healthcare roles. Nurses now stand at the forefront, not only strengthening public health systems but also acting as agents of change in shaping more equitable and sustainable economic and social structures.

 

Not Just Implementers

Nurses play a vital role in national development, not only in healthcare provision but also through active participation in public health policy formulation and implementation. In Malaysia, nurses are increasingly given space in policymaking, particularly through involvement in community health programmes such as the National Immunisation Programme and the Community Health Care Scheme (SCOPE). This demonstrates that nurses are not merely implementers but strategic thinkers ensuring health policies reach target groups more effectively.

The First Line of Health Information

Through community education, nurses often become the first individuals to approach communities with health information. For example, in the KOSPEN programme (Healthy Community, Nation Builders), nurses train community volunteers to promote healthy lifestyles, conduct blood pressure and glucose screenings, and deliver health talks in prayer halls, schools and community centres. Through this programme, nurses train volunteers to conduct health screenings and provide education about healthy lifestyles. When healthcare is provided at early stages, it reduces the treatment burden on major hospitals.

Economic Impact Through Preventive Care

Nurses who regularly monitor chronic patients at health clinics can detect early complications and prevent hospital admissions. This directly saves on hospital treatment costs, which are significantly higher. For instance, the Malaysian Ministry of Health reports that the country's current health expenditure now reaches approximately 4.0% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). If interventions at the primary level are effectively implemented, this percentage can be prevented from further increasing.

Moreover, effective primary care positively impacts national productivity. Citizens who receive early treatment need not take extended leave or stop working due to disease complications. This reduces lost workdays and ensures the workforce continues contributing to the economy. Data from the Malaysian Ministry of Health shows that Current Health Expenditure (CHE) has increased substantially from RM30,764 million in 2011 to RM72,413 million in 2023, with the CHE as a percentage of GDP growing from 3.4% to 4.0% during this period. This reflects the growing investment in citizens' health. This investment is only worthwhile if early care is fully utilised. Furthermore, in addressing the ageing population issue, primary care by nurses becomes more relevant. By 2040, healthcare costs for the elderly in Malaysia are expected to reach RM21 billion, equivalent to approximately 1.08% of GDP. Nurses who provide health education and regular monitoring at home or clinics can help reduce this financial burden.

Creating Economic Opportunities Through Social Entrepreneurship

In terms of social entrepreneurship, an increasing number of nurses are taking the initiative to establish home care services, rehabilitation centres, or therapy centres for special needs children. For example, nurses who run mobile wound treatment or physiotherapy services not only generate their own income but also create employment opportunities for healthcare assistants and therapists. This contributes to local economic growth, particularly in creating job opportunities, and even contributes to the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Contributions in Health Tourism

In the global context, health tourism in Malaysia also contributes to national income through remittances from foreign tourists and job creation in the healthcare and hospitality sectors. Statistics show that Malaysia receives more than 1 million medical tourists annually, with this sector contributing over RM1.3 billion to the national economy, and it is expected to continue growing. Through good communication skills and expertise in specialized nursing practice (obtained through post-basic training), nurses help provide a positive experience for foreign patients. With satisfying care experiences, medical tourists are more likely to choose Malaysia as a treatment destination, making the country a primary choice for those seeking quality medical treatment.

In conclusion, Malaysian nurses play a crucial role in driving the country's healthcare sector, both in primary care and health tourism contexts. With efficiency in providing quality healthcare, they not only help improve community wellbeing but also contribute to the national economy through generating employment opportunities and income from the health sector. Therefore, on this International Nurses Day, let us view the nursing profession not only from a humanitarian perspective but also from a strategic economic standpoint. Our nurses are an investment in a healthier, more balanced, and more resilient future aligning perfectly with the theme chosen by the World Health Organisation: "Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies." 

Dr. Norafisyah Makhdzir

Lecturer

Expertise - Critical Care

Department of Nursing

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Universiti Putra Malaysia

norafisyah@upm.edu.my

 

Date of Input: 08/05/2025 | Updated: 03/07/2025 | nadia_rahman