PORT DICKSON – The Health Ministry (MoH) and Public Service Department (PSD) are in discussions regarding the department’s decision to stop sponsoring students in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the ministry is also prepared to review a study conducted in 2019 that projected an oversupply of medical officers from 2026 to 2030.
“We know that there have been changes, especially after the post-Covid-19, so there may be new things that need to be revisited in the study.
“Our worry is that the move (to halt sponsorship) may discourage students from pursuing their studies,” she told reporters after launching the Global Adults Tobacco Survey (GATS) here today.
The event was also attended by Health Director-General Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan and acting Health Deputy Director General (Education and Technical Support) Datuk Dr Fariza Ngah.
Dr Zaliha said that the country needs doctors and other positions in the medical scheme, and that health services are essential.
Based on media reports, the PSD has decided to stop sponsoring students pursuing studies in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy following a MoH study that projected an oversupply of medical officers from 2026 to 2030.
According to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, MoH’s 2022 Health Indicators report showed a nationwide 1:420 ratio of doctor to population across both public and private sectors, with a 1:400 ratio expected to be achieved in 2025.
Meanwhile, Dr Zaliha said the GATS is a household survey conducted nationwide by MoH in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The Public Health Institute will conduct the GATS for the second time. The first GATS was conducted in 2011. Data collection will be conducted from June 12 to July 22,” she said.
Citing the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, Dr Zaliha said 4.8 million Malaysians aged 15 and above were active smokers.
GATS aims to obtain up-to-date information on tobacco use and monitor the effectiveness of tobacco control interventions, with the data obtained to help the ministry strengthen the country’s tobacco control strategy.
The survey will involve approximately 5,000 randomly selected households across the country, targeting individuals aged 15 years and above. – Bernama, June 11, 2023
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