Monday March 30, 2009
Local docs to face foreign challenge
By FOONG PEK YEE
KUALA LUMPUR: Local medical professionals have to compete with their foreign counterparts when the services sector under the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta) is opened up by end of the year.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said at least 70% of the equity will be opened to foreign participation by the period.
This would lead to an increase of foreign professionals, particularly from disciplines which were in demand, those not available locally or facing a shortage, he said.
“The locals will have a choice of seeking treatment locally instead of having to go overseas.
“This is also a boost for medical tourism as foreigners will be attracted by good services and affordable rates in Malaysa,” Liow said in an interview.
Liow however said that the foreign professionals must be registered with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC).
Malaysia has 23,738 doctors, 3,165 dentists and 4,571 pharmacists. They include 9,440 doctors, 1,625 dentists and 3,321 pharmacists in the private practice who may be directly affected by the move.
Admitting that local professionals were initially quite hesitant in accepting the move, Liow said his ministry, via several briefings with them, managed to convince them that the move was inevitable and that they (local professionals) should be ready and able to compete with their foreign counterparts.
“Like many other countries in the world, Malaysia is gearing up to make medical tourism more attractive to foreigners.
“There are also a lot of requests from foreigners, many whom are Japanese and Koreans and residing in Malaysia, for treatment by doctors or specialists from their country,” Liow said.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said at least 70% of the equity will be opened to foreign participation by the period.
This would lead to an increase of foreign professionals, particularly from disciplines which were in demand, those not available locally or facing a shortage, he said.
“The locals will have a choice of seeking treatment locally instead of having to go overseas.
“This is also a boost for medical tourism as foreigners will be attracted by good services and affordable rates in Malaysa,” Liow said in an interview.
Liow however said that the foreign professionals must be registered with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC).
Malaysia has 23,738 doctors, 3,165 dentists and 4,571 pharmacists. They include 9,440 doctors, 1,625 dentists and 3,321 pharmacists in the private practice who may be directly affected by the move.
Admitting that local professionals were initially quite hesitant in accepting the move, Liow said his ministry, via several briefings with them, managed to convince them that the move was inevitable and that they (local professionals) should be ready and able to compete with their foreign counterparts.
“Like many other countries in the world, Malaysia is gearing up to make medical tourism more attractive to foreigners.
“There are also a lot of requests from foreigners, many whom are Japanese and Koreans and residing in Malaysia, for treatment by doctors or specialists from their country,” Liow said.
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rancangan yang akan membunuh peluang rakyat Malaysia sendiri....dah tau rakyat Malaysia tak de expertise....knape nak suruh expertise luar masuk dan menutup peluang rakyat Malaysia sendiri...sepatutnya, kementerian memberi/membuka/menggalakan rakyat Malaysia mengikuti/membuat kepakaran tersebut.....bukannya menutup peluang dengan memasukkan kepakaran luar.....jangan sampai anak kera di hutan disusui, anak sendiri mati kelaparan.....
kalau nak jugak, kena ketatkan syarat kemasukan....jangan sampai terdapat longgokan...baru nak ambil tindakan....antara syarat yang boleh menguntungkan rakyat Malaysia;
1) mewajibkan mereka itu tiada rekod jenayah/salah laku
2) mewajibkan mereka memberi perkhidmatan atau mengajar kepakaran mereka kepada rakyat Malaysia dgn kadar rendah....terutama bumiputra.
3) tidak boleh melebihi 3 tahun di malaysia...
4) dan lain-lain yang perlu..
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