FMT:
Maintain MMC’s
independence in medical
training recognition, says
DAP man
Dr Boo Cheng Hau advocates alignment with global practices and professional autonomy.
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) should maintain its independence in recognising medical degrees and specialist training programmes, similar to other professional bodies such as the Bar Council, says a Johor DAP leader.
In a statement, Dr Boo Cheng Hau said bodies like the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) should not interfere with the licensing process of the medical profession.
“The MQA was set up to assess academic educational programmes, and it is not within their jurisdiction to get involved in the licensing process of the medical profession,” he said.
“(This licensing of the medical profession) is within the jurisdiction of the MMC, which is an independent professional body that has more expertise than the MQA itself to assess the qualification of any trained doctor and specialist.”
Boo, who is a committee member of Johor DAP, also said it was within MMC’s jurisdiction to decide on the qualifications and licensing for medical training programmes from both local and foreign universities.
He said Malaysia must align with global practices where independent professional bodies decide on licensure eligibility for graduates.
“As in all other OECD countries, it is for the independent professional bodies to decide whether a university graduate can be licensed as a professional practitioner after their academic training,” he said.
The MMC has refused to recognise specialists graduating from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh under the parallel pathway programme, specifically in cardiothoracic surgery.
As a result, four of the doctors have filed for a judicial review to compel the MMC to recognise their qualifications and place them in the National Specialist Register to enable them to practise. The case will be heard on April 17.
Earlier today, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said amendments to the Medical Act 1971 had been proposed to resolve the issue of registering medical doctors who obtain their specialist qualifications through the parallel pathway.
Boo also proposed that the MMC consider setting up a Malaysian medical graduate licensure examination for basic medical graduates, regardless of university origin, to ensure fair assessment and qualification.
“Like any other profession in the country including architects, engineers, accountants and lawyers, they are licensed to practise only after the potential professionals satisfy their respective professional bodies’ specified practical training and assessment examinations, and so it should be the same for the medical profession in the future,” he said.
If necessary, Boo said the MMC could also consult professional bodies like the Academy of Medicine Malaysia for specialist recognition.
“The MMC should not cede or even share its professional power with any other non-medical professional body including MQA,” he said, adding that it was for the MQA to consult the MMC.
Malaysia's MMC was modelled on the British General Council of Medical Education and Registration.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, MMC has become embroiled in 3R polemics, with Race and Religion considerations muddying what should be objective reviews on medical education and professional standards.