UK medical programmes not being de-recognised

Sun2Surf: Neither the Malaysian Medical Council nor the Health Ministry intends to de-recognise postgraduate programmes offered by institutions overseas.
"The Royal Colleges in the United Kingdom are such centres and we are happy to be associated with their programmes," said Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican, adding that he was a product of these institutions himself.
Referrring to a letter in the Sun weekend (Feb 4-5) by a doctor from Banting who alleged that post-graduate degrees from the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians were de-recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council, Ismail in a written response said, "This is news to me."
"Most of the programmes although undoubtedly good, are not structured (i.e. they are not exit examinations) and therefore those who pass the examinations conducted by these colleges will have to undergo 18 months of supervision and monitoring as opposed to the six months for local graduates, before being gazetted as specialists," said Ismail.
When contacted yesterday, Ismail explained that doctors who attend a structured programme have to attend the whole course - lectures and exams as required by the curriculum.
"They are trained all-round. Otherwise a doctor can self-study, fly down, sit for the exam and if he or she is good, pass the difficult theory and clinical tests," said Ismail.
"They however have to be properly prepared to practise, which is why we have athe 18 months of supervision and monitoring, although the exam itself is very tough," he said.
"I hope doctors get their facts right and not resort to writing letters to the press, based on rumours and perception," said Ismail.