KUALA LUMPUR: A five-year freeze on new medical courses, to prevent the glut of trainee doctors in the country from worsening, has been approved by the Cabinet and is effective immediately.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who announced this Thursday, said the moratorium would not affect the number of medical staff required by the country, and that the focus on quality would be ensured.

"We are looking at a doctor-patient ratio of 1:400 by the year 2020, which fulfils the requirement of an advanced nation.

"From the number of students currently enrolled at the 33 higher education institutions nationwide, we can achieve that target," he said at a press conference, after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Open University Malaysia and Master Builders Association Malaysia.

Mohamed Khaled added that the current doctor-patient ratio was 1:1000.

"The ministry will focus on monitoring the quality of the medical courses currently offered, and for institutions that do not meet the criteria and skills accreditation, their current recognition may be recalled until they improve."

In December, he had said the moratorium would prohibit the launch of new medical programmes in the country, with existing medical schools encouraged to focus more on quality.

On Nov 27, The Star had highlighted concerns over the glut on the number of housemen and the quality of fresh medical graduates.

As of Jan 31, Malaysia has 33 higher education institutions offering medical courses, including 11 public higher education institutions and 22 private ones.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f...4735&sec=nation

Malaysians always have this perception:

What do you want to become when you grow up?
Become doctor. Clever boi. Pandai tu.
Cleeeever..

So all aim for that lor. Some good at mugging books also aim for local universities, some got quota benefit also took the opportunity, some not so smart but rich also buy their way for placement in unknown universities in Russia..

I think it would mean that new unis and colleges applying to offer medical courses from now will get rejected for the next 5 years.

Those universities which are currently offering medical courses will still churn out the same numbers every year.

how about leng lui doctors?

Who wants to go see?

Difference between a rich man's hospital and a poor man's hospital in Bangkok.

got Arabic Medical Service, Japan Medical Service, 5 Star Ward, Grand lobby...Fuh!