Creating more cardiothoracic surgeons

Photo: 123rf

MALAYSIAN Medics Inter-national (MMI) is deeply concerned by the issues surrounding the parallel pathway for the qualification of cardiothoracic surgeons in Malaysia and the derecognition of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh. The parallel pathway programme was created in 2016 to address the huge deficiency of cardiothoracic surgeons nationally.

According to a news report, as of March, more than 1,500 patients were awaiting heart and lung surgery (“Heart and lung patients in dire straits”, The Star, March 23; online at bit.ly/star_heartlung). And cardiovascular diseases are on the rise every year. Thus, we humbly call upon the Health Ministry (MOH), the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE), the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) to consider the following.

> A national critical shortage of cardiothoracic surgeons will cause potential fatalities in patients awaiting surgery:

There are currently only 14 independent cardiothoracic surgeons serving MOH hospitals. This poses a great risk to the more than 1,500 patients currently awaiting lifesaving heart and lung surgery.

This inaccessibility of cardiothoracic services could result in fatalities in waiting patients or cause further complications and exacerbations of existing medical conditions, raising serious concerns about healthcare delivery and patient wellbeing and safety.

Hence, urgent attention is needed to address the critical shortages and long wait times for cardiothoracic services. A targeted approach would include tabling and amending the Medical Act at the next Parliamentary meeting. This is especially crucial in the light of two pioneer parallel pathway graduates being offered jobs in Britain and the recent graduation of the next five candidates of the parallel pathway programme.

These potential surgeons would almost double the work force should they be granted National Specialist Register recognition. This will go a long way in alleviating the long wait for cardiothoracic patients and minimise potential risks, complications, and fatalities.

> Need for collaboration and communication among the MOH, MOHE, MMC, and MQA:

Efficient collaboration and communication should be prioritised by the relevant ministries and agencies to pave the way for the recognition of the parallel pathway. Providing clear cut guidelines the programme must follow will ensure the pathway produces properly qualified cardiothoracic surgeons.

These ministries and agencies should also collaborate to produce Malaysia’s own cardiothoracic masters programme in a local university which is open to all candidates regardless of race, such as Universiti Malaya.

This, in conjunction with the parallel pathway, will further address the dire shortage of cardiothoracic services.

This will also eventually produce more surgeons who can then train even more surgeons.

This multifaceted approach will address multiple pre-existing problems such as the shortage of cardiothoracic surgeons, the lack of a local training programme in the area, and the lack of trainers and training spots.

MMI urges the MOH and MOHE to urgently consider these suggestions that could impact the present and near future of Malaysia’s healthcare sector.

MALAYSIAN MEDICS INTERNATIONAL (MMI)

Term: 2023/2024

MMI is an international medical student-led organisation advocating inclusivity and diversity, reform in medical education, and the welfare of junior doctors and medical students.