I refer to the letter Remove all poorly-qualified medical doctors .

I strongly disagree with most of the points raised by the writer. The writer seems to imply that up to the 1980's there many quality doctors. However, now there are too many doctors with poor SPM and STPM results.

Actually to become a doctor, one does not need excellent straight As in the SPM and STPM examinations. First of all, I agree that medicine is a tough course involving a lot of studying about human diseases.

However an average student with average SPM and STPM grades can also make it in medicine provided that he or she studies consistently and is willing to put in the extra effort.

In reality, there is no definitive academic exam which can reliably pinpoint the future doctor. What it takes to be doctor - as said to me by an experienced doctor - is just average intelligence, a strong interest in biology, diligence in studying and compassion towards patients.

In the end, the patient is the ultimate judge of a doctor.

In the 70s and 80s, even those with Grade 2 or 3 and from the Arts stream students took up medicine and have graduated to become good doctors. At the same time, I know of cases of students with excellent SPM and STPM grades who did medicine but are now working in fields totally unrelated to medicine.

Then, there was a famous doctor who became our country's fourth prime minister. There are also others currently elected as members of parliament and state assembly persons.

In conclusion, to simply bar a student from taking up medicine simply because he or she has average SPM and STPM results will only decrease the pool of potential doctors.

Does the writer have any statistics to back her claims or is she simply criticising based on hearsay?

From what I see, the writer seems to imply that Malaysian hospitals are infested with doctors who are grossly unqualified, incompetent and not up to standard. Also, these doctors seem to have been given a license to play with patients' lives with the blessing of the Malaysian Medical Council

However, the writer is far off from the truth.

If really Malaysian public healthcare is that bad as implied by the writer, surely no Malaysians will want to go to the hospitals to seek treatment. They might rather seek treatment at private healthcare centers.

In fact, currently, Malaysian public hospitals are so full of people seeking treatment especially in this uncertain economic climate.

Does the writer know that the Malaysian healthcare system is considered as one of the best among developing countries? Our infant mortality rate (IMR) and maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has improved over the years based on Health Ministry statistics.

Don't know what is IMR and MMR is? Try using Wikipedia and compare Malaysia's statistics with other countries. The writer is sure to be surprised.

Of course, Malaysian healthcare is not at par with developed countries' standards now but we are not far off. I sincerely believe that Malaysian healthcare can attain developed countries standards within the next 15 years with the proper funding, infrastructure and human resources.

In my opinion, the writer has unfairly criticised the Health Minister (both present and past) and the director-general of health all who are part of the Malaysian government.

First of all, I wish to reiterate that I am not a Barisan Nasional supporter but I can attest to the fact that Malaysian government has developed the Malaysian public healthcare throughout the years to be one of the best among developing countries.

In time Malaysia can attain the healthcare standards of developed countries.

Last but not least, I hope my letter will help quell the misconceptions about Malaysian public healthcare system.