KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has assured that the gap between the parallel pathway programme and the local master's medicine programme involving cardiothoracic surgery will be addressed through the amendment to the Medical Act 1971 (Act 50).
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said extensive engagements with the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) have been conducted and the draft of the bill has also been completed for AGC's review.
He also assured that the amendment will be done in the third week of the current session of Dewan Rakyat.
"The issue related to specialised training has faced some debates and controversy as reported in the media and I acknowledge that this has been an issue since I was the chairman of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Health.
"I have also reviewed the issue many times (then) and have returned as a minister to address them.
He said extensive engagements involving the AGC and important stakeholders had been conducted for the discussion of the bill while the draft had also reached the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and deans of universities after approval by Cabinet.
"The blue bill (final draft) is also completed and has been given to AGC for review before being presented in the third week of Dewan Rakyat (this session)," he said in Dewan Rakyat, today.
Dzulkefly also said that both members of parliament from both divides, where the draft will also be presented to PSSC.
"Hence, all concerns regarding the issue will be addressed by that time," he said.
Dzulkefly previously announced that the cabinet had agreed in principle to amend the Medical Act 1971 to address the gap between the parallel pathway programme and the country's master's medicine programme. (reference: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/06/1059828/cabinet-agrees-princi...)
He said the amendment to the bill would be presented in the Dewan Rakyat session scheduled for June once the cabinet gives its approval.
This was to ensure that medical specialists who have completed their training under the parallel pathway programme would be registered and recognised.
"The Ministry, alongside the Higher Education Ministry, has jointly submitted a Cabinet Memorandum on the proposed amendment to Act 50, which aims to resolve the registration issue of medical doctors who obtain qualifications through the parallel pathway programme and to streamline the recognition and registration process of specialists."