They said the specialists should not be blamed if they take up offers to practise overseas because they are frustrated with the refusal of the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) to recognise their qualification to be listed in the National Specialist Register (NSR).
In a Facebook post, nephrologist Dr Rafidah Abdullah said many specialists are leaving the public sector to go abroad or join private hospitals locally.
She was commenting on reports of parallel pathway specialists, who are being offered jobs in UK hospitals, considering a move as their qualifications were not recognised by MMC despite the health ministry sponsoring their course.
Quoting a Malay proverb, she urged Malaysians not to brand them as “kacang lupakan kulit” (forgetting one’s own roots) because the nation itself is not valuing them.
“Their speciality is recognised by other countries, but they are labelled as ‘haram’ (forbidden) in our own country. It’s our loss. Let’s pray for them (to succeed),” she said in the post on Friday.
Rafidah was referring to the Malay Consultation Council’s (MPM) education bureau chairman Ibrahim Abu Shah who described the health ministry’s parallel pathway programme as “haram”.
He was reported to have said that the programme was of no use, and claimed that many countries did not have such an initiative.
Rafidah said with the exodus of specialists and the lack of doctors in public hospitals, healthcare workers are getting frustrated and tired.
3,000 parallel pathway trainees
Four have already completed the cardiothoracic surgery programme with another four about to finish. Another 20-plus trainees in this field are in various stages of their specialisation course.
There are an estimated 3,000 parallel pathway trainees in 14 health specialities at the moment.
Yesterday, a vascular surgeon from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid said two cardiothoracic surgeons trained under the parallel pathway programme tied to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Scotland have received firm offers from UK hospitals.
Hanafiah, who is also pro-vice-chancellor of UKM, said they are trying very hard to persuade them to stay on in the country in view of the nation’s dire need.
“They wanted to (I know their heart is here), but somehow, they are frustrated. The two (specialists) have firm offers, one from Royal Brompton Hospital in London, and the other, who wanted to become a paediatric cardiac surgeon, has an offer from The Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital in London. Both are Malay surgeons, in case you are wondering,” he said in a Facebook post.
Hanafiah said the parallel pathway programme was designed to train our surgeons locally and to serve our local public, using international standards.
“Some say the UK does not recognise them, so we should not recognise them. Imagine saying that to your sons and daughters. Don’t blame anyone else, if they don’t come back,” he added.
Thanking the health minister and the ministry for trying to keep them in this country with the current moves to amend the Medical Act 1971 to recognise their qualifications, he is confident the matter will be resolved.
“We really appreciate the support. I know they will stay if we can solve this issue fast. Otherwise, we will lose more than just the two.”
The parallel pathway specialists-MMC imbroglio is expected to be resolved when amendments to the Medical Act are tabled at the next Dewan Rakyat meeting scheduled from June 24 to July 18.
Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said the government is seeking to resolve issues related to the parallel pathway programme in a comprehensive manner.
He said the amendments had been mooted by the health ministry, following discussions with the Attorney-General’s Chambers.