Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) has registered 854 overseas-qualified medical practitioners as local specialist doctors from January to May this year, as announced by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. Out of these practitioners, 849 are Malaysians, with 87 percent, or 741, of the applications for specialist registration being approved within three months or less.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is actively encouraging the return of overseas-qualified Malaysian doctors, recognizing them as vital assets to the country's healthcare system. The specialist registration process remains open to all applicants who meet the registration requirements outlined in the Medical Act 1971 (Act 50) and Medical Regulations 2017.
Dr Dzulkefly made these remarks during the Special Chamber session in the Dewan Rakyat, responding to a query from Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng (BN-Tanjung Piai) about the registration of Malaysian specialist doctors with overseas qualifications in the National Specialist Register.
Further, he elaborated on the amendment to Act 50, passed in 2024, which was a significant initiative by the MADANI Government to streamline, clarify, and strengthen the specialist registration process. This amendment resolved several previously disputed issues, including the recognition of the Genetic Pathology qualification from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the registration of cardiothoracic specialists trained through a parallel pathway programme with the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCS Edinburgh), United Kingdom.
Dr Dzulkefly emphasized that possessing qualifications listed in the Fourth Schedule of the Medical Act 1971 is a key condition for specialist registration, but it does not guarantee automatic registration. The MMC must assess whether applicants meet all conditions under Section 14 of Act 50, including completing specialist training, having satisfactory work experience, and demonstrating competency and good character.
The processing period for each application varies depending on the completeness and accuracy of the documents submitted by applicants, including qualification verification, specialist training completion, and proof of work experience from overseas training institutions, employers, or related authorities.
The government remains committed to reversing the brain drain trend to a brain gain, addressing cases involving specialists from the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries who wish to return and contribute to Malaysia's healthcare system.