MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said that undergoing five years of medical school would be expensive, with costs ranging from RM250,000 to RM650,000 depending on the university.

She said graduates are also required to undergo house officer training in the public healthcare system.

“This is the stage where even the brightest of medical students drop out due to the work demands. Many find themselves at a crossroads here because their expectations do not match the reality on the ground.

“Students considering medicine as a career must also be aware of the contract system and be prepared to serve in any healthcare facility as part of their training,” she said.

In 2015, it was reported that one in five housemen quit annually and that the number of dropouts was increasing.

On May 2, Azizan described the number of dropouts as alarming amid the continued struggles faced by the healthcare system, especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Students must be well aware that in the medical profession, patients’ needs come first,” she said.