Doctors agree to return home
posted in - Dobbs, - General |After the previous post on RM100 million down the drain which provoked a lot of discussion recently, it has been reported today that the doctors have agree to return home.
For years, more than 100 Malaysian doctors educated at government cost in Ireland and England had refused to return, citing poor prospects here.
Two weeks ago, the situation changed, with many agreeing to fly back for good.
All it took was a talk with Health director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican, who convinced them that the going would be good for them here.
He told them the Malaysian healthcare system was being reformed to emphasise sub-speciality services.
“I gave them the assurance that they will not face problems getting placements and recognition of training received in Dublin and the United Kingdom,” he told the New Straits Times.
But there is a condition: Some will only return after completing training to become specialists and sub-specialists.
The decision augurs well for medical services in Malaysia as many of those working there had become hospital heads of department.
“Some of them have even been given the honour of setting up units in hospitals. Because of this, they have the experience to contribute towards the expansion of sub-speciality services in Malaysia,” he said.
I wonder whether they will still have to serve out the 10 years (3 years compulsory service and 7 years bond) agreed upon in their bond? And how long more will it take for them to complete their training to become specialists and sub-specialists? Agreeing is one thing, but let’s wait and see whether they actually return to serve out their government service.
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April 14th, 2006 at 11:38 am
So much abuse of the terms of the contract by these scholarship recipients who are now doctors and interestingly, the DG promised that they will be “appeased†for non-performance of their contracts.
We have just discussed the case of Yummy and her grievances. How dissimilar is her story?
April 14th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
How convenient, the prodigal children return. Promises of goodies awaiting them, what about the local law abiding doctors?
The Home Office in England is tightening it’s rules regarding visas for Doctors, and is to introduce Work Permits for their continued employment under such circumstances where do these doctors fit in. Do they have any choice but to return to Malaysia.
So all this sudden urge to return to Malaysia and serve the rakyat must be taken with a pinch of salt.
We will see more demands from these doctors for them to come and serve in Malaysia, let the ‘sandiwara’ unfold.
April 14th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
Speaking as overseas doctor in general and not necessarily gov sponsored:
Well done Ismail for the efford. Thanks, but no thanks. Have seen highly qualified doctors went home with enthusiasm, got frustrated by the bureaucracy and unequal opportunity (see Palmdoc’s comments on How to attract top scientists). Have heard of research funds that were promised and given initially later mysteriously taken away and given to ‘more privileged’ people. Have seen quite a few eventually gave up and returned to UK.
All the promises need to be matched up by what happens on the ground level.
April 14th, 2006 at 3:01 pm
It never amazes one what sort of contract is being signed by the govt (on behalf of the people) with those that it sponsors. Obviously these contracts are not binding,otherwise why doesn’t it use the terms of the contract as leverage to make them come back?
It is even more amazing that the contracts it signed with privatised companies, like the toll concessionaires (where the govt has to reimburse them when they forego any toll increase) are binding – thereby forcing the govt to fork our countless millions as compensation.
Is it because the taxpayers are ultimately footing the bill that our govt can be so generous with its largesse?
April 14th, 2006 at 3:09 pm
Nathan’s observation is probably correct. The announcement was probably made to appease the rakyat and give Ismail some political mileage (perhaps done by others, not himself) The sandiwara will continue nicely to unfold with both sides playing the game of hazy chess.
As UK doc stated, it is not a game for him, neither is it one for me (although I have given 2 goes at different times of my career), not even for a handsome tax free salary. The dignity of work as a specialist and being treated like one is what which matters to many Western trained docs.
My prediction is that these scholars will find third countries to go for whatever reason. But again, as long as the government tries to move goal posts with their contracts, they (the gov) deserves what it gets. The issue is one of poor governance and poor management.
April 14th, 2006 at 5:01 pm
bolehland contracts=applied across the board from scholarships to mega projects
contracts are meant to be broken-fixed them in court?nono-carrot and stick-perhaps
more importantly most laws are not enforced -well try sending one of those who had breached the undertaking to return to prison terms in absentia or pursue vigorously their guarantors agreement to pay till they are bankrupt-i am sure we need not spend any money in trying to woo them home
April 15th, 2006 at 10:01 am
usually those who stay are not psd scholars but MARA scholars they are not bonded and not actually restricted from continuing there.Its sorta of a loan where u pay 1% only.
a few of them have even decide it to not ever come back to Malaysia even to serve the cumpulsary 3 yrs.I find that annoying. i have nothing against those who stay on to further their studies.We want to further our studies as quickly as we can cos most of us have wasted 2-3 yrs in pre-Uni.So most of us are keen to continue and finish our intended specialities ASAP.Coming back to Malaysia and dealing with the Sr system,that will just take to long. I wish to do surgery in the future, and i want to get started on the 10 yrs expected studies ASAP.
Ive met one scholar who said she doesnt want to come back because ‘gov treat doc like shit’.. i though she was pretty shit too.. for treating the malaysian tax-payer like shit too (eventhou she is a MARA scholar-technically it is still half gov and half-bumi community subsidary).
I say the government should impose a harder contract on the MARA scholar as they are also using the taxpayer’s money (1% pay back— where can u ever get a loan like that). and for governement to lose their resources because their contract does not specifically state they have to serve the country for an amt of time.(its written 3 yrs– but there is no specific penalties if they fail to serve the 3 yrs)
April 15th, 2006 at 3:40 pm
Personally I think Ismail Merican should not lower himself to bag these ‘trators’ to come back to Malaysia. These doctors are with the intention to serve their own interest. They never and I said again NEVER had any intention to pay back the Malaysian tax payer (who pay their tuition fee). We the Malaysian are just a bunch of stupid people to allow these to go on. MARA especially are bunch of idiot and moron who give our tax payer money to train doctors to SERVE the develope countries. I think Malaysia is probably the only country in the world that give money to train doctors to serve citizen of other countries. Best of all, these doctors will probably became PR or even became citizen of those countries. I am just felt stupid why I should pay tax to send these traitors year after year overseas.
April 15th, 2006 at 3:58 pm
Economically speaking, the money lost through scholars not returning is peanuts compared with the billions the government has let down the drain into failed megaprojects, bailing out failed companies, the coffers of cronies and even issues like securing a meeting between Dr M and Mr B. So, why cry foul on these small fish whilst the whole barrel really stinks? Sure, the principle is there I agree but let criticism be less targetted! Or, is it fear?
April 17th, 2006 at 5:10 am
@poor doctor: the issue may be that Bolehland funds the training of some doctors for the developed world butn the real problem is the dodgy governance and management of the whole country. The scholars might be called ‘opportunists’ and, if you or I were in that situation, we might have probably done the same! You are a tax payer and remains one, so, why do you not persuade all your mates how to vote during the next election or, like some of us, just vote with your feet and be happier professionally (but poorer in cash)
April 20th, 2006 at 5:49 pm
NST
News Updates
PSD loan defaulters to be barred from going overseas
20 Apr 2006
Hamidah Atan
PUTRAJAYA, Thurs:
——————————————————————————–
IN its latest move to make loan defaulters to pay up, the Public Service Department will soon refer its list of “blacklisted” students to the Immigration Department.
This means that they will be stopped at airports and barred from going overseas.
April 20th, 2006 at 6:10 pm
May be counterproductive….
April 21st, 2006 at 11:22 am
I think it’s unfair to assume that loan defaulters never had the intention of returning, most of you know my situation and my insistance that I never had anything other than good intentions when I signed the contract, just that things change. If you don’t like us stealing from the taxpayer, lobby the Govt., to make a compromise so we can pay back like a bank loan – a proportion every year.
Also it is not just Malaysia that pays for students to study that then leave the country. This phenomenon is happening the world over, UK grad going to US or austrailasia, germans/east europeans indians and asians coming to the UK, and many others. We now live in a global market where professionals are global players (as LF said in the other forum).
Again I agree with LF, why concentrate on a few bad apples when the barrel is rotten, there are solutions that are equitable, stop focusing on the problems.
As for stopping loan defaulters going overseas I said something about this (with my tongue in cheek) in the other forum, I can scarcely believe it to be true. If it is true, is the public services department making policy after reading these blogs? I think we should be told (and can I claim consultancy fee?)
April 24th, 2006 at 8:53 am
*still waiting for a response from PSD people here* (with regards to the last point made my Yummy – not the consultancy fee of course)
April 25th, 2006 at 12:35 am
I believe my opinions on this website as to the matters discussed in both and this and the other forum have been exhaustively explored. I endevour not to lie when filling out forms, so forgive me when I decline to register for this site as some attempt to preserve my anonymity.
Despite my past criticisms I actually believe that Malaysia is a forward looking and relatively open society when compared to many other Asian countries (although that’s not saying very much) and wish it success and further development in the future. Good health and good luck in the persuit of happiness to all.
Au revoir
April 25th, 2006 at 6:37 am
quoting Yummy “As for stopping loan defaulters going overseas I said something about this (with my tongue in cheek) in the other forum, I can scarcely believe it to be true. If it is true, is the public services department making policy after reading these blogs? I think we should be told (and can I claim consultancy fee?)”
Anything can be “true” or “made to look true” in Bolehland. Let me recount a story how badly I was treated when someone in rural Brazil pickpocketed my passport in 1993 (when I was doing my “grand” budget backpacking adventure in South America). There, one cannot exchange money or travel internally without a passport ID. The first sec of the embassy who dealt with me was an arrogant Chinese Muslim who first told me off for losing my passport.
Next he made it so hard for me to get papers that out of desperation, I meditated and prayed for an idea and, after 10 days in Manaus (the ex rubber capital of the world on the Amazon), I was able to retrieve my passport from the underworld network within 24 hours of implementing the plan! I continued and had a great time walking the Inca trail in Peru and visiting the Galapagos Islands(and before Mahatir too!)
The message is that when religious indoctrination creep into the civil service in a what is purported to be a secular constitution, individualised disasters have a potential to occur. Watch the case of the two university students charged for holding hands etc in public and the uproar about the true definition of (in)decency and how the cabinet has now claimed rights over it! This is a true circus.
Do we pay taxes for these clowns to entertain us or to run the government?
I think that should be the focus of disgruntled tax payers’ wrath, not the few PSD scholars.
Finally, I think some Malaysians are forward looking but many (and the government) are stuck in the caramel (melted sugar) created by the past leader and cannot extricate themselves.
April 25th, 2006 at 6:38 am
Yummy, do join us in the MMR Forums: in the general forum you don’t have to use your real identity, and can use a nickname e.g. Yummy
. Overseas Malaysian Doctors are also invited to join in the Doctors only section (when you use the Dobbs registration form, just fill in in MMC Reg No with your GMC Reg No.). If comment threads get too long in the MMR we close them and encourage further discussion in the forums as otherwise loading the page will take too long. Registration with the Doctors only section will require you to use your Real name but you don’t have to join this section if you don’t want to.
So feel free to register with the MMR forums.