Only local scholarships for postgrad docs

The Ministry of Health has restricted postgraduate scholarships for doctors and medical officers to only local universities

According to Datuk Saiful Anuar Lebai Hussen, the ministry deputy secretary-general (management), this directive dates back to September 20th and comes under austerity measures taken by the ministry.

Other privileges are also said to be removed including attending conferences, seminars or workshops while pursuing medical postgraduate studies. Saiful said students who plan and intend to attend conferences, workshops and other field related programmes will have to bear the associated expenses.

Additionally, students will not be permitted to request for extra funds to extend the duration of their study. However, if students are willing to cover the cost of the extended period of study, the ministry has no objection to that.

Saiful also noted that the ministry had decided to freeze the scholarship offered under the "spouse programme" for partners of scholarship holders.

Dr John Chew Chee Ming, the president of Malaysian Medical Association said many of these programmes can be done locally and he welcomed this decision. He also noted that some of the sub-speciality programmes can be developed locally with the collaboration of overseas faculties.

However, the report published by The Star said scholarships within the Asean region will be available for medical professionals wanting to pursue sub-speciality programmes.