Noble doctors in Malaysia no more???

This blog is way overdue I know. But nevertheless I think it is necessary to talk about it.

On Feb 7 2010, our Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow has said in public tt the government is now considering to reduce the number of years of compulsory service, which is currently 5yrs-3yrs housemanship and 2yrs compulsory service to possibly 4years - 2years each for both housemanship and compulsory service. Correct me if I'm wrong but Malaysia is seriously lacking doctors,as at 2008 to patient ratio stands at 1:1105 (as per MOH Health Fact 2008). I wonder whether such a move,just by reducing the numbers of years of compulsory service is going to increase the amount of doctors willing to serve in Malaysia.

In fact, a lot of medicine students overseas do not want to return to Malaysia not only because of the years of compulsory service, but due to other reasons, amongst others, lack of research & development, lack of recognition, lack of challenges, lack of opportunity to grow, lack of reward, lack of funding etc. These are some of the reasons why some of Malaysians top surgeons and specialist remain overseas. What is the MOH doing to address this? What is being done by MOH to encourage these professionals to remain and serve the people?? Even worse now, the Health Minister is now too busy with politics and power struggle and couldn't care less of the society.

Having mentioned the above aside, personally, I think the society also has to take part of the blame. Remember when we are young, our school teacher will always has an essay session for 'What is your ambition?'. Without doubt, there will always some who will come up with an essay where its ambition is to be a doctor. We, as kids, were always being told that being a doctor is a noble profession, where one can help others.

Come 20 years later, we hear a different story. Parents nowadays want their children to become doctors not because of the main noble act of helping people, but because they can earn more money. There was once I was at a friend's dinner, and when aunty come to hear that one of her friend's child is now a doctor, the first thing that she said was "Wahhhh, doctor wor...can earn a lot of money"...

I mean where has the noble thought of curing and helping people??? I know that parents spend hundreds of thousands to groom their son to become a doctor, but for a doctor, ain't it that the noble act of helping people comes first??? I mean I am not saying that doctor can't be rich but I always believe where doctors are able to help people through you specialisation and expertise, then that is a reward which they should get...But the first thought should be helping people first, ain't it correct??

I am sure you have heard countless times of stories where hospitals ask you to make the payment 1st before they proceed to save anyones lives...For god sake, is that even correct?? This is completely a different story in some other countries, at least the one I know of. I have personnally experienced it while I was sick in Hong Kong and was admitted to a government hospital.

Coming from a society here in Malaysia where we need to register everything 1st, I asked the nurse if I need to register...which she told me "its ok, you can do that later, our duty is to see what is wrong with you and cure you 1st, the rest can wait"...To the doctors and nurses there, the moment they received me at the emergency ward, their duty is to try help me..That should be the way,not just in some developed nations, but everywhere!!!

Much been said, I still think being a doctor is a noble profession, and I like to believe it is still is..Doctors should always stick with the principle of helping and curing people first and not focus on how to make more money. The rewards comes as a recognition and reward of your professionalism! Remember that! Otherwise, if you want to make more money, then don't become a doctor, go become a businessman!!! So get your bearings right!!!