THERE are a number of foreign doctors (mostly from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and India ) from unrecognised universities who are working in rural areas and university hospitals with the blessings of the Health Ministry.

They do not have to sit examinations to be registered and are given annual practising certificates for up to three years. This is unfair as Malaysian doctors from unrecognised universities have to sit exams. Why not employ them instead?

Foreign doctors are also given places in the master’s courses in public universities such as Universiti Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Mal- aysia, when our own doctors are not given such privileges.

These foreign doctors are then given registration and annual practising certificates so that they can undergo these courses and perform surgeries and procedures on patients. Isn’t it ridiculous that our own doctors from the same unrecognised universities are not allowed to do so?

These foreign doctors then do locum in private hospitals and clinics and are, therefore, practically earning a living and studying at the same time while local doctors have to sit exams, do housemanship and then work for the government for three years in order to apply for a master’s course.
Foreign students are readily accepted into the medical courses in public universities. Why are they given preference when there is an acute shortage of doctors in this country?

Source: NST – May 30, 2008