A union representing drivers under the health ministry previously said the manpower shortage had added to drivers' workloads, causing burnout for some.PETALING JAYA: The health ministry is facing a shortage of 1,176 drivers for various public healthcare vehicles, including ambulances, forcing existing drivers to take on greater workloads.

The lack of manpower is reportedly expected to persist until April next year, caused by a postponement of recruitment by the public services commission (SPA) in 2024. The ministry said the hiring of drivers was postponed to make way for the implementation of a new scheme under the Public Service Remuneration System, Berita Harian reported.

Now, drivers are officially known as general service assistants and categorised as a skilled service, it said.