MALACCA: Medical graduates who studied overseas may have to sit for a unified medical examination and, whether their university is recognised or not, a pass in the examination would allow them to practise in Malaysia.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said this would ensure these graduates had the required standard and quality to practise medicine in the country.
He said the ministry was discussing the matter with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), adding that Malaysia recognises 344 universities for medical studies.
“We cannot continue giving recognition to more and more universities because we have to evaluate and monitor their standards from time to time.
“We are also not capable of doing so as there are more than 300 universities,” he told reporters after opening the 17th annual general meeting of the Federation of Alumni Associations of Taiwan Universities here yesterday.
Dr Chua said the local unified medical examination had to be introduced as a long-term solution.
“We want to maintain the quality and standard of our doctors.
“It would be disappointing if, one day, Malaysians lose confidence in their own doctors.
“So we should not focus on quantity. The standard is more important,” he said, adding that there had lately been a drop in the quality of doctors.
Among the causes was the medical students' lack of commitment. Many took up the course not because they were interested in medicine, he said.
Dr Chua said these students only believed they had to be doctors because of their excellent results in the SPM and STPM examinations.
“We have implemented a programme where we try to get them accustomed to a hospital environment for five days.
“At the end of it, we see about 10% of them pulling out of the course.
“What we want is commitment and passion which is lacking,” said Dr Chua, adding that the ministry would increase the number of course days to between seven and 10 next year.
He said that so far, the Government recognised eight Taiwanese universities and 250 of the graduates had registered to become doctors, 120 as dentists and 57 as pharmacists.
The Malaysian Medical Association said that although a unified medical examination for overseas graduates was good, it had to be well thought out.
Association president Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin said the examination could be conducted in three parts, comprising practical, written and viva voce.
“The plan will not work with the candidate sitting for just one paper. It could take between two and three days,” he said when contacted yesterday.
MMC president Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the examination would remove the problem of varying standards as a result of graduates coming from different universities.
The move would also see the MMC not being taxed with issues such as paperwork and conducting inspections on medical schools, which are time-consuming.
Mmmm..... Though I probably have nothing to fear (except communicating in Malay with patients after not speaking the language for a while...), after 1001 exams in medical school, we still have to prove our worth when we come back home? Stress!!! Have I just landed myself in a profession with most exams ever? Some of my friends might just not come back home and continue working in the UK... Will write more when after my last paper on Tuesday, my brain's not right at the moment...
Sunday, May 27
Friday, May 18
Monday, May 14
CAGE questionnaire
CAGE questionnaire is a set of questions used by medics as a quick screen for alcoholic. I am applying these set of questions to screen for my addiction towards the internet.
1. Have you ever felt you should CUT down on going online?
YES
2. Have people ANNOYED you by criticising you going online?
NO
3. Have you ever felt bad or GUILTY about going online?
YES
4. Have you ever go online first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover (EYE- opener)?
YES
I am indeed an internet addict.
1. Have you ever felt you should CUT down on going online?
YES
2. Have people ANNOYED you by criticising you going online?
NO
3. Have you ever felt bad or GUILTY about going online?
YES
4. Have you ever go online first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover (EYE- opener)?
YES
I am indeed an internet addict.
Saturday, May 5
Ridiculous!
How come I can still find time blogging? hehe... trying to make myself feel guilty - I SHOULD BE STUDYING FOR THE EXAMS NEXT WEEK!!! ok... after this. Promise myself - Will definitely definitely definitely finish the case on the liver before I go to bed tonight, even if it means no sleeping for me.
What is so ridiculous? Three things I read from online Malaysian newspapers.
1. Make aliens pay medical bills
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/5/nation/17641968&sec=nation
Has The Star caught up with the recent rampant use of indecent of words by the many fame-seeking politicians? The government has a point of not subsidising cost of medical care for foreigners, but why do we have to call them alien? It is not as if these people are filthy rich folks exploiting our national resources, these are poverty stricken Indonesians and Filipinos who probably have no where else to turn to. If they have no mercy at all for these sick people, at least show some sign of civilization in speech and writing.
2. Zainuddin proposes classifications of bloggers
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/NewsBreak/20070505190240/Article/index_html
I am personally against any sort of regulation on the world of blogging. It's simply stupid. I am a Petronas scholar and I am actually not supposed to criticize the government or say anything that is sensitive - and I have not. But I firmly believe that Malaysian are mature enough to be given some space and freedom to discuss about issues affecting us. It pains me to read reports nearly on a daily basis on government trying to impose views on us. I visit many Malaysian blogs regularly, and I have just realised that our country is just full of people who are actually great thinkers and can argue eloquently. And these blogs are making readers think, debate problems and find solutions. Malaysians are actually using our brains for good!!! I see this as a sign of progress of our people and our nation from 'just accept everything decided by our leaders' to 'we all have a role to play, and I want my voice heard'. Malaysia as a country, had a history of people reacting disproportionately aggressively to stupid remarks sensitive to religion, race, political ideology etc. But I think we have come a long way, and are grown up now. Leaders are still treating us like little babies, that everything we do needs to be scrutinized. I am telling you, at this rate, Malaysia will never grow up.
3. Siren chasers to be fined on the spot
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/5/nation/20070505071106&sec=nation
OK, I agree that Malaysians have a bad habit of trailing siren-ed vehicles to beat the traffic. That is not fair. I also agree that drivers who obstruct emergency vehicles like ambulance and fire engine should be fined (not that our ambulances have that kind of lifesaving sense of urgency). I only have a problem with this statement being released after two policemen died after they rammed into a car that came to a sudden halt at a junction while escorting a VVIP. I don't know the whole situation but seems to me that this is a mere unfortunate accident. I always think VVIP should not have the privilege to light-speed on the roads, but I suppose they have earned it being born/elected/appointed to the position. While escorts are trained to speed, they should also have been trained to look out for own and the public safety since their job of speeding and intimidating/bullying other motorists to give way does involve some risks. To put the blame on ordinary motorist, I think, is not very fair.
OK. Enough of ranting for now. I also want to show you myself in the news. Check out these websites:
http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/news/display/index.htm?id=114474
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/20070427080225/Article
Now I shall immerse myself into the world of the hepatobiliary system. Err... dark green yucky bile juice... taste bitter. I know because I had to clean up a patient who made a big mess vomiting and pooing bile before.
What is so ridiculous? Three things I read from online Malaysian newspapers.
1. Make aliens pay medical bills
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/5/nation/17641968&sec=nation
Has The Star caught up with the recent rampant use of indecent of words by the many fame-seeking politicians? The government has a point of not subsidising cost of medical care for foreigners, but why do we have to call them alien? It is not as if these people are filthy rich folks exploiting our national resources, these are poverty stricken Indonesians and Filipinos who probably have no where else to turn to. If they have no mercy at all for these sick people, at least show some sign of civilization in speech and writing.
2. Zainuddin proposes classifications of bloggers
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/NewsBreak/20070505190240/Article/index_html
I am personally against any sort of regulation on the world of blogging. It's simply stupid. I am a Petronas scholar and I am actually not supposed to criticize the government or say anything that is sensitive - and I have not. But I firmly believe that Malaysian are mature enough to be given some space and freedom to discuss about issues affecting us. It pains me to read reports nearly on a daily basis on government trying to impose views on us. I visit many Malaysian blogs regularly, and I have just realised that our country is just full of people who are actually great thinkers and can argue eloquently. And these blogs are making readers think, debate problems and find solutions. Malaysians are actually using our brains for good!!! I see this as a sign of progress of our people and our nation from 'just accept everything decided by our leaders' to 'we all have a role to play, and I want my voice heard'. Malaysia as a country, had a history of people reacting disproportionately aggressively to stupid remarks sensitive to religion, race, political ideology etc. But I think we have come a long way, and are grown up now. Leaders are still treating us like little babies, that everything we do needs to be scrutinized. I am telling you, at this rate, Malaysia will never grow up.
3. Siren chasers to be fined on the spot
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/5/nation/20070505071106&sec=nation
OK, I agree that Malaysians have a bad habit of trailing siren-ed vehicles to beat the traffic. That is not fair. I also agree that drivers who obstruct emergency vehicles like ambulance and fire engine should be fined (not that our ambulances have that kind of lifesaving sense of urgency). I only have a problem with this statement being released after two policemen died after they rammed into a car that came to a sudden halt at a junction while escorting a VVIP. I don't know the whole situation but seems to me that this is a mere unfortunate accident. I always think VVIP should not have the privilege to light-speed on the roads, but I suppose they have earned it being born/elected/appointed to the position. While escorts are trained to speed, they should also have been trained to look out for own and the public safety since their job of speeding and intimidating/bullying other motorists to give way does involve some risks. To put the blame on ordinary motorist, I think, is not very fair.
OK. Enough of ranting for now. I also want to show you myself in the news. Check out these websites:
http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/news/display/index.htm?id=114474
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/20070427080225/Article
Now I shall immerse myself into the world of the hepatobiliary system. Err... dark green yucky bile juice... taste bitter. I know because I had to clean up a patient who made a big mess vomiting and pooing bile before.
Tuesday, May 1
I am stupid
I slept when I shouldn't have. So many things in my mind. Shouldn't have taken up so many things that I cannot handle. Stupid me. Now I cannot do anything right. Nothing is going right. I am the stupidest person in the world.
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