All medical doctors in public healthcare are currently required to apply for the HLP, whether they choose to specialise by way of a local masters programme or through the parallel pathway programme.

The parallel pathway is a form of on-the-job structured training provided by the health ministry for trainees who opt to sit for international examinations conducted by overseas Royal Colleges.

“The current system is limiting and the HLP should not be mandatory for the parallel pathway, as there are doctors who are willing to self-fund their specialist training in view of the lack of available openings, uncertainty and limitations in attaining the HLP.

“We have been informed that doctors who qualify and have applied for specialist training are waiting between one and four years for the HLP to enter their specialisation training,” said MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz.

She said such delays were affecting the production of specialists needed in the country.

The HLP requires all trainees to serve a bond duration of seven years and fulfil extended years of training.

“Furthermore, there are higher bond costs and reduced chances of transfer under the HLP scholarship,” said Azizan.

She said openings for HLP were reportedly limited while its selection criteria was unclear, citing also the age limit for applicants.

“Despite this, there is a significantly higher preference among medical officers for the parallel pathway programme.

“Due to the limitation of candidates enrolled in this programme, some doctors have left government service for greener pastures abroad, out of sheer frustration with the system,” she said.

Last week, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad pledged to resolve issues related to the parallel pathway programme as part of a 100-day key performance index.