A total of 442 health officers will be promoted from Grade U54 to Jusa C effective this year said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

He said the promotion process would continue from time to time and would involve officers on Grade 44 to Grade 54.

"This is the first phase of promotion in appreciation of the contribution of doctors and medical specialists in the country's health services," he told reporters after a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Maternity Hospital in Kuala Lumpur Hospital here today.

Liow said the 1,682 vacancies for nurses would be filled this year through a new intake to address the shortage of nurses in government hospitals.

On the Kuala Lumpur Women and Children Hospital, Liow said the project was under construction and expected to be completed in three years.