MBBS Siang

You previously mentioned about Zhejiang University and studying medicine there. And what's wrong with the university? From recent post, I've heard that you are currently studying in Cyberjaya College of Medical sciences.

What's with the change Cybercaya to study medicine since your post previously saying that you might go to Zhejiang University to further study MBBS?

I'm planning to study in Zhejiang Uni and are trying to find feedbacks. ANYBODY who are in Zhejiang Uni or knows about Zhejiang Uni MBBS english medium please pour it out! Hope your opinion helps!

Regarding about IPTA, for pursuing medicine, i dare say that you must get 4.0 only you have a chance. Well 4.0 doesn't guarantee you 100% a place in IPTA too,if you are non bumi. There are quota and some shit like that.

limeuu, yes but sad to say $$ is a factor. Many could not afford to enter uk/oz for medicine due to $$, cost of living etc.

Are you sure that HK intake are not that popular among other countries? And do you mind sending the link for HK uni? Does Malaysia recognise HK medicine? and HK med is in english is it?

I'm not from KL or from canto speaking state, so which position am I in now? Can i still apply and get place there? >.<

Haha and IPTA medicine, you are no hope to get it if you get less than 4.0.

I am currently studying matriculation and am I eligible to apply for HKU? can you give me your e-mail as I want to know further about this if possible =]

During your badge, How many Malaysians did apply for MBBS in HKU, how many gotten the interview and finally, how many got the place to study MBBS there?

Besides UK, aussie, india, russia etc, i think China is comming up what do you think? I had asked someone who's studying there, and they say the facilities are very good and that during thier third year, there are lecturers from the US teaching them, so I think that China shold be considered by MMC.

I was just wondering why MMC recognises country such as UAE, Egypt etc, but Singapore doesn't? And why Singapore recognises China but Malaysia doesnt? Isn't that so politically motivated?

regarding china MBBS

please BARE in mind that SINGAPORE only recognises the Master of Medicine, which is in chinse medium,and takes 7/8 yearsm but not the MBBS english medium(5 years)

i Just read an article which was posted by a Malaysian doctor.

Docfiles (A Malaysian Tech-savvy Doctor who works in Penang and Blogs through his PDA Phone on the go) tells you what to expect as a Malaysian doctor might be like:

It tells you what to expect as a Malaysian doctor might be like:
"1. No life outside medicine; this includes dating, sports, clubbing, chores for your parents and visiting the toilet.
"2. Not to live with your parents. Move out ASAP as they will never understand the ludicrous working hours that u go through. Furthermore, chores are not suitable for u as to rule No. 1.
"3. Not to be married until completion of all 4 years of Govt Compulsory service as u will be transferred left and right to some of the most remote Govt clinics in Malaysia. Having wife and kids to follow you to your new working area may increase high level of stress on all parties. Furthermore, if your spouse is a Govt Doctor, he/she will also be transferred away from u and no matter what appeal is made, KKM will put up a deaf ear (unless u have big cables or of a certain skin color).
"4. If married, no to have children until u finish all 4 years of Govt Compulsory service, as to which u and your spouse will not have much time for your child/children or they end up not recognizing u and refer the Indonesian maid as their mother (change in language patterns commonly follow).
"5. To obtain life insurance once your govt service begins as there is not many claims for accidents during work. Don't be fooled, Doctoring in Malaysia is hazardous.
"6. Able to withstand 36 hours of non stop work and stress without mistakenly labeling Left for Right or uvula for vulva (or Volvo S40).
"7. To buy a car with complete safety features (like I'm doing) which includes multiple airbags, ABS, EBD, side-front-rear-top-parallel and diagonal impact bars and seat belts to ensure survivability if u are involved in an accident because your driving resembled a drunkard maniac after working in the hospital for 40 hrs non stop.
"8. Constant supply of coffee.
"9. Nicotine Patch as u will have the urge to start smoking due to overwhelming stress.
"10. Interest in watching medical sitcoms such as House MD, Scrubs, ER, Grays Anatomy and Chicago Hope to inspire u to continue your life as a doctor as the exciting things u see on TV does not resemble the real life of a Malaysian govt doctor.
"11. Not to have any pets or plants (not even cactuses) as u will have no time to feed or care for them and eventually all will end up in your mortuary.
"12. Able to endure the stench of your own sweat as to when 36 hours "on call" does not permit u time to bathe or freshen up.
"13. Able to carry on working without food or water over 15 hours. ( I was in OT for 16 hrs without food, water or bathroom breaks). If during fasting month, able to break your fast with “water for injection” as u had no time to buy food.
"14. Able to come to work with fever/cough/illness or physical disability (sprained ankle etc) as to which doctors do not deserve MCs. (My MO was on crutches during rounds)
"15. Able to stand scolding, destructive criticism, kiss ass behaviors, racial bias, finger pointing, scape goating, and in competency from your superiors.
"16. Able to withstand the jealousy when your friends call u up for some fun and ur stuck in the hospital during on call."
Unwanted Citizen, who labored in Sabah, wrote: "There are those who conquered medical school on a high note. They were all geared up to seize the hour and have even made up their minds to be a knowledgeable physician or a skilful surgeon or a non-bullshitting neurosurgeon. They hit ground zero after a few months upon realization that a doctor's job isn't as glamorous and as rewarding as they initially thought. Despite their vast knowledge or admirable surgical skills, many patients simply have conditions that will not respond to the most aggressive medical intervention. Disheartened and disillusioned over the apparent futility of their work, these well-meaning doctors end up with an empty fuel tank and bow out of clinical practice. They don't end up as bitter losers in life though. Most of them will eventually discover their true calling in life and find it more fulfilling than strutting around in a super hot lab coat and a stethoscope around their necks..."

Truth from another doctor in Malaysia.

"Very upset. Worked so hard as houseman only got 76 for my 2007 SKT. Wanna leave this stupid country."

That was the SMS I received from my colleague Dr. Bee, medical officer of Kinbatangan on my back from Kota Marudu today.

I was driving at 80km/hr along the treacherous Kota Marudu-Kota Belud ‘highway’ then, but could not help but feel angry over the news.

Dr. Bee like myself, graduated from UM and assumed housemanship in the state of Sabah by choice.

Doctors come to Sabah for many different reasons. The kiasu ones are here under the impression that a working stint in Sabah will earn them extra points in their pursuit of the local Masters specialty training. Some are here because they were told that the training and working experience here in Sabah are much better and wider compared to Peninsular Malaysia. I can’t comment on that, because I have never truly worked with the Ministry of Health in Peninsular Malaysia. My short attachments in the Klang, Banting and Tanjung Karang hospitals are not sufficient for me to make a proper comparison. Of course, there are always the jerk doctors who come to Sabah preying on the gullible local ladies. You can read my other posting for real-life stories.

Dr. Bee however, came to Sabah with nothing to gain and everything to lose – her spouse, her family, her friends, the comfort of home. I believe she came to serve the community of Sabah and verily I say, she has lived up to her personal pledges.

In the eighteen months of my working experience with Dr. Bee, I only have words of praise for her. She was among the top graduates in my class but unlike many other brainy doctors, Dr. Bee was competent and well-balanced in knowledge, work and character. She came to work early, examined patients thoroughly and demonstrated sincerity in her dealings with patients. She was so dilligent and motivated that other doctors took her for granted and pushed her around.

If I were to find any fault in her, it would be her uncanny fetish for all things afro. That's none of my business, though.

There have been a many emergencies and events whereby she was one of the few reliable hands around. There is no doubt in my mind that without her assistance and support during those times, a large number of patients would have had a very different and worse outcome.

She had had her share of frustrations and downcast while serving as a house officer. Sadly, this is the exactly the case with Malaysian healthcare. Lazy, moronic and irresponsible doctors get off scot-free while diligent, responsible and knowledgeable doctors like Dr. Bee get trashed. It’s a sickening system, to say the least. The hardworking doctors end up with more baggage and liability while doctors who go AWOL remain AWOL with no accountability.

Having studied real hard and basically smart to begin with, there were times where Dr. Bee just couldn’t reconcile with the occasional doubtful conclusions of some of the clinical specialists. In a feudalistic system like Malaysia’s, differing opinions are not tolerated well, much like the culture so rabid among our politicians.

Being pint-size and soft spoken, Dr. Bee was an easy target for the wicked bosses among us. It was really distressing to see her on the receiving end of verbal harassments from those racist, sexist, shit-full orthopaedic surgeons and NEP products.

While she was as frustrated with the system as I have been and still am, she remained ever enthusiastic and firmly focused on the big picture that is patient’s well-being and best interests.

We have gone separate ways and function independently as full-fledge medical officers now.

I have no doubt however, that Dr. Bee continues to maintain a self-imposed standard of excellence in her daily work in the interior of Sabah.

It was therefore remarkably upsetting that a doctor like her received a mere 76 marks for her annual work assessment called the Sasaran Kerja Tahunan (SKT).

Is this the reward for diligence in the civil service?

What the big deal about SKT, one might ask?

Sigh…

For non-bumiputera doctors like Dr. Bee and myself, the SKT points are very much a determining factor in our application for the local Masters program. The SKT points MUST NOT BE BELOW 88 FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS before we are eligible to APPLY for a specialty program.

Contrast the above criteria with the criteria set in place for Malay doctors who are accepted into the Skim Latihan Akademik Bumiputera (SLAB) program. Essentially, there are no specific criteria in place for the SLAB program. In fact, one may not even need to apply to join the SLAB program. I have had Malay colleagues who were simply offered to choose from a variety of SLAB specialty programs.

With an SKT of 76 points, the chances of Dr. Bee being eligible to apply for specialty training is practically nil.

Anyway, do we really seriously think that NEP products groomed in a racist system will be fair and considerate in their assessment of non-NEP products like Dr. Bee? Will they be able to empathize with the struggling non-Malay doctors striving for career advancement while juggling their daily work? Will they give a leg up and lend a helping hand the same way they were given crutches and wheelchairs to roll about?

To my dear friend Dr. Bee, take heart and don’t be discouraged. Study hard and kick their NEP asses. Above all, stay the same – a wonderful and dedicated clinician.

Doctor in Ireland explains his situation. Read on:

I am a Malaysian doctor working as a Consultant in Ireland and would like to provide some insight into the real situation here in Ireland. Firstly, we have to separate Ireland from the UK, different countries, different laws, different salaries, different healthcare systems, different training systems; only similarity being the exams and post graduate qualifications.

Ireland has a shortage of doctors, many being recruited from overseas. There is a preference here for Irish graduates, including Malaysians. It is true that EU law states that an EU national has to be given preference over an equally qualified non EU national, however the keyword here is 'equally'. As someone that has sat on interview panels, I can tell you that it is not always the EU candidate that is the most suitably qualified.

It is true that many foreign doctors are working in the peripheral hospitals. However, many peripheral hospitals here are accredited for training. In addition, there are Malaysian doctors in high positions in Dublin hospitals too. Academic qualifications only form part of what employers look for over here. Research and publications, communications skills, interpersonal relationships, non medical activities as well as solid references are key too. I cannot generalise and say that Malaysians are lacking in these other areas, but more often than not, they do.

The general attitude here is one of independent learning and taking a proactive stance in furthering one's education. Seniors here will probe on the odd occasion what study you're doing or what journal you're reading. Sometimes they may make suggestions on articles and book chapters to read. But there is no spoon feeding or hand holding here. This is the difference between Irish and Malaysian culture.

The salary offered here is of course a highly contentious issue. It is also one of the main reasons why I stayed back here even though it has taken me 12 years to complete my specialist training compared to 4-5 years in Malaysia. Currently, a Registrar in a surgical specialty, typically a post attainable 3-4 years after graduation can earn anywhere from 80-150k euros a year depending on the specific on call rota worked! In Malaysian Ringgit, that's around RM350k - RM700k per year! It is one of the highest salaries of any doctor at this level in the world and is considered high even by Irish standards.

There is an attitude prevalent among some Malaysian doctors here that they would rather be paid a high salary and be stuck out in a peripheral hospital in the middle of nowhere in Ireland, than be stuck in a peripheral hospital in Malaysia with a very low salary. I am in total agreement with them.

It is time the Malaysian government started treating doctors as professional, giving them the higher salaries that they deserve and recognition of qualifications and standing. It is after all the nations brightest that become doctors, and a meager salary with a pat on the back just does not do it anymore in today's world. Denial that times HAVE changed will only worsen the problem.

Another Insight regarding Malaysia Doctors. Do read on!


"As depicted by this poor, tired doctor, its quite clear how hectic and busy a Malaysian Govt Doctor's life is. May I add that in some M'sian govt Hospitals, doctors work 40Hrs in a stretch because those on call do not get their day off on the next. They are to continue till 5pm which eventually ends around 7pm. And these tired, worn out doctors are basically zombies after a very busy and hectic night. Mind u, doctors don't work sitting on their a$$. Our night involves running like lemmings here and there to pursue cases, results, set lines, attend to dying patients, face an angry relative or merely to sign an MC at 4o'clock in the morning. We sometimes run to obtain vital blood results, climb on beds to conduct CPR, sweat in thick gowns in 7 hour night long surgeries, prick our fingers while taking blood, get scolded by patients for not "smiling", write case summaries, beg with the blood bank MOs to get blood bags, and the list goes on..... There are times that the body works on its own without the direct control of the mind. And falling asleep during procedures or interviewing is almost a normal thing. And knowing that when u go home to enjoy your 12hr rest, the 36 hr on call will begin again when u wake up (Every Other Day - EOD).

Govt doctors in Malaysia work 36 hours non stop!! Thats the main message to get acrross. Theres no glamour here, theres no respect, theres no glory. When u save a life, its just a pat on the back, and when u fail, its your mistakes and faults. We go home after on call only wishing to sleep and prepare for the body for the next one. Imagine doing this for one year or more!! Saturday Sunday included!! No life definitely!! And for what? A mere RM 2185 per month and RM 150 per call. Most of us don't have the luxury to spend that money.

Keep in mind, govt Hospitals wish to seek ISO 9001 approvals. It makes u wonder, are they more concerned about facilities available or the service provided? If a tired doctor comes and sees u at 5am in the moring, ask them this very wonderful question, "Tak balik ke?""

neopets_35

Do you mind forking out $$? There are plenty of choices available if you do so. You can take loan too if you want.

IF you really have the passion, maybe you can try med sch in russia or indon? their requirement is not that strict. But you must work that extra mile.

If you are really dedicated, i shall say.. why not?

neopets_35

If you dont mind forking out $$, maybe you can ask around for russia or indon for medical degree, i not sure they will accept or not, but you can worth trying.

There are plently options available. As far as I know, you can apply to russia for the MD course. If they accpet your STPM, then thats great, if not, then you have to do foundation, which duration is quite short, approximately 8-9 months, then by september you will be doing your 1st year MD course. Browse through the papers, they will advertise for MBBS course to russia constantly, so maybe you can just call them up and enquire about that, saying that you have done STPM and see what they says.


I had just spoken to my senior yesterday, who's studying in MMMC,twinning India Malacca. He said that it's no joke studying there, much much much much more tougher than any STPM or A levels.

The time of studies is from 8am-4/5pm daily from moday to saturday.
Anatomy is quite deep and detailed compared to students who are studying in monash or IMU.

If you fail a paper, you will have to retake each paper paying RM10,000.

So do think seriously about it, its your future. All the best in your decisions!