YOURSAY | ‘Hasn't anyone learnt it takes more than good exam results to make a doctor?’

1,000 would-be doctors quit due to poor English

Malaysian Born: This is really quite interesting if not tragic. How on earth did these young people pass their exams and complete their housemanship?

One would have to question the standards if those with such poor English are allowed to pass.

Frankly, I find that this would be impossible unless the examination and all reference books used were in some other language.

Vijay47: There will be some who will hold that English is not indispensable towards becoming and practising as a doctor and here, two justifications will be offered.

First, that other nations, like Japan, Germany, or France, reflect high standards in medicine without going the English route.

The reply is that these nations do not thrive on languages like Malay. Theirs is a language honed over hundreds of years with a wealth of experience and reference material to fall back on.

In Malaysia, the only literature available is Kosmo , Gila-Gila , and of course, Utusan Malaysia .

Secondly, some will argue that English is not necessary as the majority of Malaysians speak and understand Bahasa. True.

But even here, Rule 1 still applies, not for communicating with patients perhaps but for aspiring doctors to acquire the required proficiency in medicine.

The sad reality is that in Malaysia, Bahasa is a political weapon wielded by bodies like Dewan Bahasa and the National Civics Bureau (BTN) for whom the mere mention of English is an affront to Ketuanan Melayu and Malay dignity.

Bahasa was the original rallying cry but when it was discovered that non-Malays could master it at levels matching or even surpassing Malays, ‘bangsa’ and ‘agama’ joined the club.

Yet we have English being the medium of education in Mara colleges. Is this language reserved for the elite while the masses, Malay or otherwise, have to get by on Bahasa?

It is such confused directions, misplaced pride, and nose-cutting tendencies that have turned English into England.

Dkay: The reality is that many quit because they can’t cope with the work and stressful life of a doctor, as many became doctors just to have the Dr as prefix to their name and of course parental pressure.

Housemanship has become a ‘shift sail through’ for many as there is no pressure of being reprimanded as consultants; ‘pengarah’ and others are scared of parents these days, especially if the parents are well-connected.

As a result, they become medical officers and when the actual reality sets in for these pampered groups, obviously they will not be able to cope.

Cinaputra: Many parents would give an arm and a leg to see their children go through medical school and these post-houseman doctors want to quit pursuing their career?

I don't think this is just because they have a poor grasp of English. More like an attitude problem coupled with fear of hard work.

Just as well they recognise their limitations and quit; otherwise, I can't imagine what sort of treatment will they render to sick people. Dangerous even, if you ask me.

I hazard to guess that these are people whose studies were funded by the government. Just think of the millions wasted on these blighters. Malaysia Boleh indeed.

MMA: Lack of interest in medicine cause of housemen's failure

Over50ABU: Not too long ago I thought there were too many medical graduates, till they said that there are not enough positions for housemanship so they shortened housemanship to one year.

The main reason is that they can’t face the real medical world job-wise. There are those who scored straight As but not given the chance to pursue their career.

Sabahan: I just cannot believe what Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Ashok Philip said.

After studying for six years or longer and then undergoing at least two years of housemanship, these 1,000 doctors decided that they do not have any interest in medicine?

Bad Head: First, it was the proficiency of English, now it is the stress. Being the president of MMA, Ashok does not realise that the stress comes because of the weak command of English.

The Analyser: The excuse to cover the original criticism is even more damning than the original explanation.

Young people who have a 'lack of interest in medicine' should never be allowed anywhere near a medical faculty.

Hasn't anyone learnt yet that it takes more than good exam results to make a doctor?

Anonymous_1371479577 : We should take a hard look at the admissions standards - those students who have no interest in medicine should have been filtered out to avoid wasting a precious slot for someone more deserving.

Haveagreatday: I salute these would-be doctors dropouts. It is better they find a career more suited to themselves than to risk the lives of their future patients because of their frustrations.

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