KUALA LUMPUR: The amendments to the Medical Act have been passed at the Dewan Rakyat following public debates within the medical fraternity.

This comes as a much needed resolution to the conflict surrounding the parallel pathway training programme as well as the registration of specialists and recognition of their training.

The Health Ministry, which has carried out on the job training for the programme, will now be recognised as a training provider.

Changes in the composition of the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) members have also been proposed.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad gave his assurances that amendments to the Act would be enforced as soon as possible after it is gazetted.

“I understand the dynamics and flow of the matter.

“Many have argued that it is as if the MMC is taking power from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and that the quality of specialists will be compromised.

“These are irresponsible statements,” he said in a response to Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN–Kuala Langat), who voiced concern over the concentration of power in the MMC to recognise speciality qualifications, training institutions and training programmes.

Dzulkefly also read the aspects that had been agreed upon in a meeting between the Health Ministry and MQA.

“MQA’s letter mentioned that the authority to recognise parallel pathway programme graduates from international universities lies with the ministry as agreed on in an MQA council meeting dated March 20, 2018.

“All this while, there has been no contention on this and only those who do not understand the topic will demand for accreditation to be done.

“It is already difficult to provide accreditation for Master’s programmes, what more the parallel pathway programme,” he said in his winding-up speech to debates, in response to Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN–Arau), who repeatedly interjected by saying prospective specialists had to go through the MQA.

Dzulkefly also assured the quality of specialists as graduates from both the Master’s programme and parallel pathway would be subjected to a panel of assessors.

On the composition of MMC members, whereby representatives from universities have been reduced, he said this was because 66% of doctors are from the Health Ministry.

He said the diversity in the composition of MMC council members would ensure checks and balances.

“The defining factor is that the person elected or appointed must not only be an expert in their field but also as a policy maker. They must not only have clinical acumen but also political acumen to solve problems and to enhance healthcare services,” he said.

During debates that began on Tuesday evening and ended yesterday, government MPs cited the crucial need to pass the amendments, stressing it was necessary to resolve the shortage of specialists in the country.

Opposition MPs meanwhile called for the Bill to be referred to the Special Select Committee on Health for further review.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/18/dewan-rakyat-passes-medical-act-amendments