KUALA LUMPUR: There are only 17 cardiothoracic surgical specialists currently serving with the Health Ministry (MOH).
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said at the same time, there are 23 trainees undergoing cardiothoracic surgical specialisation training, including 16 trainees in the Parallel Pathway Specialty Training and seven in the Master of Medicine Program at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
Dzulkefly explained that the ministry is continuously addressing the shortage of cardiothoracic surgical specialists, including introducing specialised training through the Parallel Pathway Specialty Training in 2014 and establishing the Master of Medicine in Cardiothoracic Surgery in 2020.
"The ministry is constantly improving to expand specialised services in government facilities for the benefit of the people, including cardiothoracic surgical expertise."
Earlier today, it was reported that Universiti Malaya is expected to offer a cardiothoracic surgery postgraduate programme by October, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir told the Dewan Rakyat that the move was a comprehensive resolution to address the lack of such specialists in the country.