KUALA LUMPUR: Eight Chinese medical universities have applied for official recognition in Malaysia under a newly approved assessment process, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The Health Minister said the eight universities are now undergoing the assessment process, with standards approved by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC).
"MMC has received many new applications from foreign institutions and among the Chinese universities undergoing assessment is the Zhejiang University School of Medicine.
"Other foreign institutions wishing to apply for recognition by MMC," he said during a Special Chamber session in Parliament on Monday (July 13).
Dzulkefly was responding to a question from Oscar Ling Chai Yew (PH-Sibu) on expanding the local recognition of more quality medical universities in China to provide more higher education options for Malaysians.
He also asked about the government's short- and long-term measures to address the issue of doctor shortages.
Dzulkefly said the waiting period for medical graduate training placements had been shortened to two months compared with more than 10 months previously.
Starting June 22, he also said officers reporting to new postings after receiving permanent appointments had also been improved, allowing them to claim more relocation benefits.
"This includes meal allowance, hotel rental payment or lodging allowance, travel fares, goods transportation fare, relocation grant and miscellaneous expenses, subject to prevailing Treasury regulations," he said.
On long-term measures, Dzulkefly said the Public Service Department (JPA) had given the Health Ministry full autonomy to manage, organise and distribute approved positions independently as of July 9.
He said a Workforce Management Task Force was established in April to examine and resolve issues in the ministry's workforce management.
"This will accelerate the process of filling healthcare workforce requirements.
"With this, the problem of maldistribution and doctor shortages at certain healthcare facilities can be gradually reduced," he said.
Dzulkefly added that Health Ministry would also establish a committee with the Higher Education Ministry to ensure the supply of healthcare workers continues to meet current needs on June 18.
Dzulkefly said Malaysia's doctor-to-population ratio improved from one doctor for every 482 people in 2019 to one for every 403 people in 2024.
