KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — The Public Services Commission of Malaysia (PSA) today announced the approval of 1,223 new health officials to help support frontliners during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Out of the 1,223 new health officials, 624 are nurses, 336 are assistant medical officers, 213 are assistant environmental health officers and 50 are laboratory technicians.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that the Health Ministry will issue appointment contracts to candidates next Monday, and will report for duty on October 28.

Dr Noor Hisham added that out of the 624 nurses approved for the front lines, 317 will be placed in Sabah while 18 others will be placed in Labuan.

He added that the majority of the nurses that will be stationed in Sabah and Labuan were born and raised in those states.

"The Health Ministry hopes that an increase in health workers will further strengthen the fight against Covid-19 in relevant states, particularly in Sabah and Labuan,” said Dr Noor Hisham.