LETTER | Streamlining specialist training through Medical Act amendments

LETTER | The Academy of Medicine of Malaysia (AMM) extends its support to the Medical (Amendment) Bill (or Act) 2024 that was tabled by Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad July 15.

These amendments aim to address the gap in the Medical Act 1971 and streamline irregularities related to specialist training as highlighted by the Attorney-General’s Chambers via the parallel pathway and local master’s degree programme.

MMC’s powers of recognition

AMM welcomes the omission of MQA Act cross-referencing, which grants the MMC full authority to recognise qualifications and specialist training for specialist registration under this Act.

There are two separate recognition processes by the MMC referred to in the amended Act, namely, to recognise qualifications and specialised training for the registration of medical practitioners.

These two separate recognition processes occur when a training provider submits a programme or an individual applying to be registered as a specialist possesses a postgraduate qualification not listed in the MMC’s list of postgraduate qualifications (proposed Fourth Schedule).

While the current MQA accreditation for university-based programmes will continue, we await the recognition process MMC will put in place for non-university-based programmes.

These processes must take into account equally robust standards of quality assurance before listing these new postgraduate qualifications.

AMM believes that these amendments will significantly enhance MMC’s ability to ensure the quality of specialists. By strengthening the role of MMC, the amendments will ensure that only training that has met rigorous standards and speciality-specific requirements will be recognised.

Removing ‘recognised training institution’ term

The amendments propose removing the ‘recognised training institution’ term. This change will effectively legalise the status of trainees in university-based master’s programmes undergoing specialist training in Health Ministry facilities.

Note that 80 to 90 percent of master’s trainees are being trained in these ministry facilities. This amendment will bring much-needed clarity and legitimacy to their training process.

New ‘registrable specialist qualification’ term

AMM also supports replacing the term “recognised specialist qualification” with “registrable specialist qualification” in the new Fourth Schedule. This change indicates that gaining entry into the Specialist Register involves more than merely passing an exam and holding a specialist qualification.

The new terminology emphasises the importance of successfully completing specialist training, achieving relevant competencies, and meeting all criteria outlined in Section 14B of the amended Act.

This is in keeping with the current evaluation process by the MMC Specialist Sub-committees to be registered as a specialist in Malaysia. These processes have been in place since the National Specialist Register was launched in 2006 and continue to be upheld by MMC.

AMM remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of specialist practice and training. We look forward to the successful implementation of the amended Medical Act 1971 (Act 50), which will foster more streamlined and effective specialist training.

This will ultimately enhance the quality of healthcare in Malaysia and ensure that our specialists are well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of our society.

Signed by:

Professor Dr Rosmawati Mohamed

Professor Dr Kandasami Palayan

Professor Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid

Professor Dr Roslina Abdul Manap

Professor Dr Chan Yoo Kuen

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.