Ceiling price needed for medical degrees

Are former top civil servants needed to helm private colleges? Current justifications fall short in answering the question.

PETALING JAYA: The National Higher Education Fund Corporation or popularly known as PTPTN provides a loan of up to RM150,000 to students pursuing medical studies in local institutions. Though other courses may obtain full financing, nevertheless there is a capping for medical studies.

On that note, one could make an assumption or deduction that the actual cost for a medical degree in local institutions may only be in the circle of RM150,000.

FMT in an article dated Sept 13, titled, ‘Exorbitant fees for medical studies’ had explored the various inflated fees charged by local higher learning institutions for their medical degrees; that ran twinning programmes in collaboration with foreign universities.

It led us to the question on why was the Malaysian government allowing these private institutions to charge such ridiculous fees.

Further probing has indeed revealed that it costs only RM120,000 to study medicine in Egypt. This explains the high number of self financed students pursuing their degree there; as the current unrest in Egypt resulted in 2,800 Malaysian students taking flight back here.

Majority is studying medicine, dentistry and pharmacy and now have been urged to continue here by the Education Minister II, Idris Jusoh.

The government has been speculated to continue financing these students via funds under the Public Service Department or Mara scholarships; though were told that they were on their own. Many said they could not afford to do so as the fees here is nearly triple they paid in Egypt.

Now, will the government be topping up the difference in the fees charged; and if yes, which agency will take on the responsibility?

If not, will the Health or Education Ministries take on the task to put a ceiling to the price of a medical degree in private institutions?

Though some quarters called for ‘market forces’ to determine price of a medical degree, nevertheless should not there be an entity to monitor these institutions to curb charging exorbitant fees?

Influential personalities in private colleges

Looking at the current situation it may be an uphill task to do so. Members of the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and former top government officials helming the private institutions have not shown their will in tackling escalating medical education fees.

Following are examples of ex top guns sitting on the apex of private institutions:

Dr Haji Megat Burhainuddin Megat Abdul Rahman (Former Health Director-General & MMC President) – Nilai University President and Vice-Chancellor

Dr Abdul Gani Bin Mohammed Din (Former Health Deputy Director-General) – Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Lincoln University College (LUC)

Dr Haji Mohd Ismail Merican (Former Health Director-General and MMC President) – pro-Chancellor and Chairman in Mahsa University College.

Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman (Former Health Director-General and MMC President) – President of International Medical University (IMU)

Dr Abdul Razak Bin Mohd Said – Deputy Dean of Malacca Manipal Medical College

Dr Abdul Hamid Abd Kadir – Works at Mahsa University College

Dr Anuar Zaini Bin Md Zain – Dean of Medical Faculty Monash University Malaysia

Therefore, it was no surprise that only private colleges like Mahsa, IMU, Malacca Manipal and LUC with MMC decision-makers at the helm were given the green-light to conduct dentistry courses. Two other private colleges conducting dentistry programme are AIMST and SEGi University.

In justifying their current positions, private institutions often reiterate that former top civil servants have the ‘experience and expertise’ to advise and oversee the running of medical and other related courses at the respective colleges.

Are they the stumbling blocks for lowering medical education costs in Malaysia?

Thus many have taken the option to pursue an affordable medical degree overseas to overcome political hurdles here. There are many acclaimed institutions around the globe offering quality medical education with reasonable and acceptable charges unlike here in Malaysia.

It is high time the Health Ministry address the issue of ensuring affordable and quality medical studies locally by clamping unjustified fees imposed by Malaysian private institutions. There should be no fear or favour in order to produce and contain local pool of doctors.