Medical degree courses in TV ads misleading

NST: KUALA LUMPUR: The media should ensure that the degrees of medical courses that they advertise are recognised by local authorities.
This followed complaints that television stations have been airing advertisements on medical degree courses in Poland and Romania which are not recognised by the Public Service Department and the Malaysian Medical Council.
The Malaysian Medical Association, in a statement, said print and electronic media should check with the Higher Education Ministry before airing the advertisements.
MMA’s Committee on Medical Education chairman Datuk Dr N. Athimulam said advertisements on the medical courses were aired on television last month.
They stated that after completing the six-year medical course, students could do two years of housemanship in Romania or Poland or other European countries and return to Malaysia and work.
"I would like to stress that they can be employed in Malaysia only after passing the qualifying exam as the basic degree is not recognised," said Dr Athimulam.
Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said medical colleges in Poland and Romania had not been registered.
"The agents should not be airing the advertisements. They are misleading the public," he said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said medical students wanting to complete their training in the United Kingdom required a work permit, as of July 1.