Doctors agree to return home

NST: PUTRAJAYA: For years, more than 100 Malaysian doctors educated at government cost in Ireland and England had refused to return, citing poor prospects here.
Two weeks ago, the situation changed, with many agreeing to fly back for good.
All it took was a talk with Health director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican, who convinced them that the going would be good for them here.
He told them the Malaysian healthcare system was being reformed to emphasise sub-speciality services.
"I gave them the assurance that they will not face problems getting placements and recognition of training received in Dublin and the United Kingdom," he told the New Straits Times.
But there is a condition: Some will only return after completing training to become specialists and sub-specialists.
The decision augurs well for medical services in Malaysia as many of those working there had become hospital heads of department.
"Some of them have even been given the honour of setting up units in hospitals. Because of this, they have the experience to contribute towards the expansion of sub-speciality services in Malaysia," he said.
Dr Ismail said he also met some 200 medical students during the week-long visit to impress upon them the need to return to Malaysia and contribute to the nation.
"I talked to them about the Malaysian healthcare system and reform, on career prospects and development in the Health Ministry and in the country."
He said many were unaware of what Malaysia had to offer in terms of career advancement.
The NST highlighted the problem on Nov 6 last year, stating that as many as 100 Malaysians educated in Ireland at a cost of between RM60 million and RM100 million had turned their backs on the country.
It was also reported that these doctors were encouraging other Malaysian students not to return home but to make a living in Europe’s fastest growing economy.
These 100 doctors had been mainly doing locum for between one and 11 years.
"Many have been misinformed about the availability of postgraduate and sub-speciality training programmes in Malaysia," he said.
Dr Ismail said he told the doctors that they should get permission from their sponsors to stay on to become specialists.
"Normally if they are given a place to specialise or sub-specialise in areas where there is a shortage of doctors in Malaysia, we will allow them to continue."
On the issue of recognition of Membership of the Royal College of Physicians, United Kingdom (MRCP) and MRCOG (obstetrics and gynaecology) and qualifications recognised in the United Kingdom, he said Malaysia recognised them.
There are 1,099 Malaysians students studying in Ireland, of whom 968 are studying medicine. Of the 968, 336 are Public Service Department scholars, 389 are under Mara scholarships and loans, 13 are under Petronas and the rest are private students.