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Finally, over the last 1 week, a Malay local newspaper had published several articles regarding the issues concerning medical graduates. This is when the blame game starts. Each authority will blame the other and finally no one will take responsibility. Eventually, it will be blamed on the previous administration and probably we need a RCI to investigate this, 10 years down the line!

Let me put it this way. For years, many in the medical profession had voiced out their concerns regarding medical school’s approval. I first talked about this in 2006 and wrote an article in MMA magazine. Many accused me of over exaggerating. Dato Dr Chua Soi Lek realised it and issued a moratorium in 2005 which was subsequently lifted in 2008 when the new government got elected. NO one did anything! Tons of new medical schools were approved between 2008 and 2011 till the new moratorium was announced in May 2011. By that time, it is too late. Too many schools were already approved which no one can order to be terminated without legal repercussions.

Who gives the approval? Everyone seems to be washing off their dirty hands. All licensing and the need for an educational program is under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Higher Education. This is governed by Private Higher Education Act 1996. MOHE treats medical education as any other educational program. MMC do not have any authority in approving/terminating any medical program.  The role of MMC is only in 2 matters: assisting MQA in accreditation process of a medical program and recognition of a medical degree. Under Medical Act (Amended 2012), MMC is the only authority who can recognise a degree which enables a graduate to be registered as a doctor. Accreditation comes under MQA Act 2007. Only MQA can issue certificate of accreditation. However, for professional programs, under section 51 and 52 of the act, MQA will work with the relevant professional body in recommendation of accreditation of a program. As far as medical program is concerned, MMC will work with MQA in the process of accreditation. A Joint Technical Committee(JTC) is formed under MQA act, consisting of 5 government bodies(headed by MMC Chairman) who will then undertake the accreditation process. The recommendation of the JTC will then be forwarded to MMC for approval at each stage of accreditation.

No where along this line, MMC can either revoke or terminate a program. If at all, they can only advise MQA or MOHE to terminate the program. This advise may or may not be entertained. For example, even the minimum entry requirement suggested by MMC have to be approved by MOHE. When MMC/MOH suggested the minimum entry requirement to be increased to 5As last year, MOHE did not agree and thus it was never implemented! The only other area where MMC is involved is in the allocation of total student intake of each batch. However, JTC allocates the intake based on accreditation guideline. As long as the college can prove the capability of having adequate lecturers(full + part-time + sessional) and facilities , JTC cannot deny the requested number of intake. On what basis can JTC/MMC allocate lower number of student intake? Legally they can’t do that unless during their accreditation process they find that the college is not ready to take the requested number of students. And if finally MMC refuse to recognise a degree, we will see the politicians and parents standing in front of MMC’s office demanding fairness!

This is not the first or the last time we will see such issues. It has happened in almost every field that we know. Unfortunately, no one in our government will take responsibility or commit hara-kiri. It is a culture of “tidak-apa” attitude. No one thinks long-term. It is always a knee jerk reaction. We can talk till the cows come home but no one listens. Their KPI is making the country an Educational Hub to generate income for the country. Who cares whether there are job opportunities or not? Who cares whether our graduate’s qualities are declining or not? As long as we can produce a graduate with a certificate , it is good enough! Numbers more important than quality.

We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg at the moment. When the first batch of contract housemen, which started in December 2016 finishes their 4 years contract in 2020, we will be seeing almost 2000-3000 doctors being released to private sector every year!. This will average out to about 200 doctors/month being jobless! This is assuming that 50% of the graduates will continue in civil service. However, we must also realise that the permanent MO post are also almost full! Can the government create 3000 MO post every year from 2020? Personally I don’t think so. Thus, the number of MOs getting into a permanent post will decline over the years as the number of post declines. So, the actual number of doctors being released into private sector will be much higher than expected. The GP field will be flooded……..If even now, clinics are closing, what more in next few years. The entire health care structure has to change to accommodate this tsunami.

One of my friend told me the other day that I probably had a crystal ball in my house. Another friend told me that it is scary to see whatever I predicted happening right in front of our eyes. Well, I did not have any crystal ball and I am no Nostradamus. It is just simple mathematics and statistics. Something that we learn in school. Unfortunately, some people never use their brains when they do something for this country. Once a mess is created, it is difficult to turn back. History teaches us that. But then, who learns the real world history anymore? Our school history books have become a political propaganda book rather that teaching the future generations what we can learn from world History!

God Bless this country…………