KUALA LUMPUR: A Perikatan Nasional lawmaker has opposed amendments towards the Medical Act (Act 50), arguing that it should be postponed for further studies.
Datuk Dr Alias Razak (PN-Kuala Nerus) specifically expressed concerns over amendments allowing parallel pathway graduates to be included under the National Specialist Registrar (NSR).
“The registered specialists are then allowed to serve in any hospitals without being monitored.
“Their direct entry through the parallel pathway programme without undergoing a sufficient training process in the NSR could negatively affect patients and ultimately the Health Ministry.
“Amendments to Act 50 should be postponed until a detailed study is carried out.
“All parallel pathway graduates should adhere to registered programmes under the NSR,” he said when debating amendments to Act 50 on Tuesday (July 16).
He stressed that opposing the amendments did not mean he was against the Health Ministry for producing more specialist surgeons.
“At the same time, we don’t want the pressure of needing more specialist surgeons seeing us compromise with the quality and competency of the surgeons.
“This predicament will not happen if all stakeholders play their role accordingly,” he said.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad tabled the Bill for its second reading earlier on Tuesday (July 16).
The amendments aim to resolve the conflict related to the parallel pathway programme.
Changes in the composition of the members of the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) have also been proposed.
The Bill was tabled for the first reading on Monday (July 15).
