20 July 2024
YB Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad
Minister of Health, Malaysia
Dear YB Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly,
On behalf of the Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA), I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to you for your exemplary leadership in resolving the long standing medical postgraduate education imbroglio within a relatively short space of time.
The decoupling of the MMC from the MQA, is the right way forward for the fraternity to not only protect the highest standards of specialist practice and training but also to enhance the quantum of appropriately trained specilaist which the nation acutely needs.
The new Fourth Schedule will ensure a more accurate and structured listing of “registrable specialist qualifications” connoting completion of a specialist training program, achievement of competencies and meeting the set criteria as alluded in Section 14B of the amended act, rather than just a paper qualification.
The MPA fully support the implementation of quality assurance programs, particularly for new training programs, and the maintenance of best practices and standards for ongoing training programs.
Having resolved this critical issue, the MPA implore the YB Minister to remain focussed on other pressing matters. A few of these immediately comes to mind, namely:
a. Rectify the maldistribution of the healthcare work force in the MOH
b. Embrace a just work culture which among others minimises discrimination in the selection criteria for promotions, transfers, entry to post-graduate programs, attaining scholarships etc.
c. Mitigate the attrition of doctors and nurses
d. Ensure better and more responsible leadership by all Persons in Charge (PIC) including the DG, DDG, State Directors, Heads of Specialties, Heads of Departments et al in order to improve the quality, safety and productivity of the MOH service.
It is indeed a tall order, but the MPA is confident that this success story in a most “divisive health issue” has rallied the vast majority of the healthcare professionals behind you. This the MPA hope, will inspire confidence to you and the dedicated MOH team to achieve bigger things for the healthcare profession, the doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals, which would in the final analysis benefit the rakyat. May the force be with you!
Sincerely,
Mohamad Ikram Ilias
President , Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA)