THE controversy over the recognition of a parallel pathway training programme for cardiothoracic surgeons should not have arisen in the first place.
Johor DAP committee member Dr Boo Cheng Hau, who is a practising medical doctor, said the uproar had adversely affected Malaysia’s medical profession and health system and exposed the prioritisation of political agendas over healthcare.
“Like other professional bodies such as the Bar Council, Malaysian Institute of Accountants and Malaysian Institute of Architects, the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) is empowered to recognise any medical degree and specialist training programmes under the law, that is, the Medical Act," he said ina statement today.
“The principle of professional independence and self-governance should not be compromised and tampered with by other non-professional bodies with political agendas."
He said MMC must be allowed to govern itself if Malaysia is to progress in its standards of healthcare.
“The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) was set up to assess academic educational programmes and it is not within its jurisdiction to get involved in the licensing process of the medical profession, which is within the jurisdiction of the MMC.
“MMC is an independent professional body with more expertise than the MQA to assess the qualifications of trained doctors and the specialists.”
Dr Boo said it is within the MMC's jurisdiction, powers and professional capacity to decide on the recognition of both local and foreign universities' medical training programmes.
He said the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) and MQA do not have the powers to do so, nor should they interfere with the process.
MOHE and MQA should never be empowered to do so as this would jeopardise the professional bodies' powers of self-governance, he added.
He said the MMC should not cede or even share its professional powers with non-medical professional bodies, including the MQA.
“Within its powers, it could consult or appoint the Academy of Medicine Malaysia and respective specialists associations to advise on the recognition of specialists and subspecialists.
“Rightfully, it is for the MQA to consult MMC on the recognition of respective universities' basic medical degrees and specialists education training programmes."
“And there is no necessity for any new laws for this aspect,” he added. – June 6, 2024.
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