KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — The Malaysian Medics International (MMI) today expressed its support and gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa for continuing public scholarships for medical students in the country amid talks that it may be stopped.
The Public Service Department (PSD) had raised the possibility of ending the scholarship for students pursuing studies in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.
“We applaud the government’s decision to prioritise the education of future healthcare professionals as the healthcare industry is an essential aspect of our society.
“The investment in the education of healthcare professionals is crucial for the well-being of our nation and it will yield significant benefits for our society in the long run,” MMI said in a statement.
At the same time, the international medical student-led organisation called on the Health Ministry to review its existing publications of health personnel to provide a more accurate and up-to-date picture of human resources in the sector.
The MMI said the country’s healthcare sector had undergone massive changes since the Covid-19 pandemic three years ago.
It said the initial decision to discontinue the PSD scholarships for medical students was made based on a 2019 study by the Health Ministry that projected an over-supply of medical officers from 2026 to 2030, without taking into account the nationwide decrease of healthcare professionals since the pandemic.
“The intentions to reallocate resources to other sectors will come at the cost of the healthcare system, which has undergone significant transformations since the Covid-19 pandemic,” it said.
MMI also called on the PSD to allow scholarship applicants to reapply for the scholarships after the deadline expired on April 2 this year.
It suggested that the authorities could also establish alternative platforms for applicants to apply for relevant scholarships.
“The investment in the education of healthcare professionals is crucial for the well-being of our nation and it will yield significant benefits for our society in the long run,” it said.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the JPA will continue sponsoring students in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/06/11/pm-anwar-psd-scholarships-for-medical-students-to-continue/73742
Based on projections, there are still demands for the three sectors, he said.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa also said her ministry is prepared to review the study conducted in 2019 on the supply of future healthcare employees in the public sector.
