On behalf of the Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA), I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad for his exemplary leadership in resolving the long standing medical postgraduate education imbroglio within a relatively short space of time.
The decoupling of the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) is the right way forward for the fraternity to not only protect the highest standards of specialist practice and training, but also to enhance the quantum of appropriately trained specialists which the nation acutely needs.
The new Fourth Schedule will ensure a more accurate and structured listing of “registrable specialist qualifications”, connoting completion of a specialist training programme, achievement of competencies, and meeting the set criteria as alluded in Section 14B of the amended Act, rather than just a paper qualification.
The MPA fully support the implementation of quality assurance programmes, particularly for new training programmes, and the maintenance of best practices and standards for ongoing training programmes.
Having resolved this critical issue, the MPA implores the Minister to remain focused on other pressing matters. A few of these immediately comes to mind, namely:
- Rectify the maldistribution of the health care work force in the Ministry of Health (MOH).
- Embrace a just work culture which, among others, minimises discrimination in the selection criteria for promotions, transfers, entry to post-graduate programmes, attaining scholarships etc.
- Mitigate the attrition of doctors and nurses.
- Ensure better and more responsible leadership by all Persons in Charge (PIC), including the Director-General, Deputies Director-General, State Directors, Heads of Specialties, Heads of Departments et al in order to improve the quality, safety and productivity of the MOH service.
It is indeed a tall order, but the MPA is confident that this success story in a most “divisive” health issue has rallied the vast majority of the health care professionals behind you.
The MPA hopes that this will inspire confidence to you and the dedicated MOH team to achieve bigger things for the health care profession, doctors, nurses, and other allied health professionals, which would, in the final analysis, benefit the rakyat. May the force be with you!
Mohamad Ikram Ilias is president of the Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA).
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
