LGE calls for unanimous support for amendments to the Medical Act

Democratic Action Party (DAP) national chairman Lim Guan Eng urged his colleagues in DAP and all MPs including the opposition MPs to support the Bill to amend the Medical Act 1971 in parliament tomorrow to address the parallel pathway training controversy. 

“I would like to express my full support for the proposal by the Health Minister, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, to amend the Medical Act in Parliament tomorrow,” he said. 

“My colleagues in DAP will certainly fully support this Bill, and I urge all Members of Parliament, especially from the opposition, to put aside unhealthy sentiments and instead support this Bill as it concerns the lives of our people,” he said in a statement.

“This Bill is comprehensive and aims to address the shortage of specialists and subsequently reduce waiting times for medical services,” he added. 

He added that the amendment aims to recognize specialist doctors under the parallel pathway training program to save patients waiting for treatment. 

He said the Malaysia Health Ministry parallel pathway training training has become a polemic in our national discourse and has caused public concern. 

“It should not become an extremist polemic as patients should be the priority, regardless of background, and the medical treatment provided and the doctors performing the treatment should not be viewed from a racial perspective,” he added. 

He said support for the amendment to the Medical Act 1971 is widespread among influential medical non-governmental organizations. 

“The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president, Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz, has urged for this amendment to be supported to recognize the parallel pathway training program as a solution to overcome the critical shortage of specialist doctors in Malaysia.

“In addition to this main benefit, Dr Azizan also mentioned the increased variety of training opportunities that could reduce the outflow of talented doctors to foreign countries and improve local medical services,” he said. 

The controversy surrounding the parallel pathway program began when Malaysian graduates, sponsored by the government to study cardiothoracic surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSE), faced challenges in practising in Malaysia due to the MMC not recognizing their qualifications.