Are medical schools socially responsible?

It is in the interest of every medical school to produce graduates “fit for purpose” for its long-term sustainability. — Photos: Filepic

On April 11, 2019, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat that only about 70% of new doctors complete their housemenship within two years. The remainder receive an extension on their housemenship posts, causing a backlog and decreasing the number of available training posts for the new, incoming housemen.

This is a cause for concern. It not only raises questions about the quality of the medical graduates, but also medical education itself and the social accountability of medical schools.