We refer to Health Minister Dr S Subramanian’s recent statement warning newly-graduated doctors not to work as locums while waiting for houseman postings. Only doctors with valid registration with the Malaysian Medical Council are allowed to do locum.

The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations, Malaysia (FPMPAM) is fully aware that it may take as long as one year before they may be offered housemanship placement. If left idle in this one year, the medical graduates face the danger of losing their basic clinical skills and knowledge.

The glut of new medical graduates in the current scenario of shortage of placements needs innovative ideas to ensure continuing medical education for them. As such, the federation would like the support of the Health Ministry, Malaysia to encourage and allow these new graduate doctors to work as doctor’s assistants so that they can be mentored under senior private practitioners.

That way, they can continue to be in touch with the practice of medicine and to learn practical skills from the experienced senior colleagues in private practice.

The FEDERATION OF PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS’ ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA (FPMPAM) is the national body representing doctors in private practice in Malaysia. FPMPAM is committed to improve the quality of private health care through continuing medical education, continuing professional development of its members, ethics advocacy and public outreach programmes.