Doctors, Dentists and Pharmacists SATURATED in Malaysia

Dentists oversupplied. Source from the star newspaper @7 march 2016  

Future of healthcare professionals?

Doctor, dentist and pharmacist have been a dream job for many top students since decades ago.  These professions are well-paid and it signifies their status in the society. However, recent news showed that these occupations are no longer an evergreen career.

Pharmacists (as of 22 Feb 2016)

1. 20 local universities (involving 26 programmes) approved by MOHE and recognized by MPB to offer Pharmacy Degrees. More details CLICK HERE.
2. 1486 graduates in 2015 vs 1223 graduates in 2014.
3. 13,549 registered pharmacists currently. 
4. Ratio of 1: 2306 pharmacists to population. 
5. Ratio of 1: 2000 by the end of year 2016 will be achieved (as recommended by the WHO). 
6. 55% are currently in the public sector.
7. Pharmacy degree student intake of 1,200 annually. 
8. Average waiting time for government postings 6 to 9 months.
9. After the 4 year degree programme, 1 year PRP training is required prior to professional registrations. For the most updated list of training premises CLICK HERE.

NOTE: In view of the limited training facilities in the public sector and rising need in the private sector, policy on liberalization of Provisionally Registered Pharmacist (PRP) Training in private sector was introduced in 2012. Pharmacy graduates are allowed to carry out the one year PRP training at any of the following private facilities approved by MPB: 149 community pharmacies, 10 private hospitals, 16 pharmaceutical industries, one university facility and seven R&D facilities under PhAMA.

Doctors (as of 1 March 2016)

1. Lists of tertiary institutions recognized by MALAYSIA MEDICAL COUNCIL. COMPLETE LIST CLICK HERE
2.  4140 graduates in 2015.
3.  36607 registered doctors, including specialists in 2015.
4. Ratio of 1:791 doctors to population in 2015.
5. By year 2020 based on the estimated population of 34 million, 85000 doctors would be needed to attain the standard ratio of 1:400.  
6. Now almost 85% of the government posts have been filled in 2015.
7. Medical student intake of 3700 annually.
8. 10835 housemen in 44 government hospitals.
9. 2 years horsemanship (maybe longer) to get registered after the 5 year medical degree programme.

Dentist (as of 7 March 2016)

1. There are 13 local institutions recognized by MALAYSIAN DENTAL COUNCIL to offer dentistry degrees. For details, CLICK HERE (for local tertiary institutions); CLICK HERE (for overseas tertiary institutions).
2. 6410 registered dentists in 2015.
3. Ratio of 1: 4800 dentists to population in 2015. More details CLICK HERE.
4. Target ratio of 1:3000 dentists to population (expected to be achieved by 2018).
5. 980 graduates registered with Malaysian Dental Council in 2015.
6. 1100-1200 dentists will be produced in the next 4 to 5 years. More details CLICK HERE
7. 504 got placements in MOH, 476 had waited for 6-9 months in 2015. Some are still waiting as there are only 87 vacancies now.
8. Oversea graduates 482 and 498 local graduates in 2015.
9. After the 5 year degree programme, 1 years compulsory service upon graduation, no training is required. (Since 13th June 2015, the mandatory national service period has been reduced from 2 years to 1 year.)

By looking at the statistics, the quantity of healthcare professionals is increasing in a quite alarming rate. Is this a sign of healthcare professionals oversupplied? For your information, just few years ago, doctors, dentists and pharmacists are all critical postings in Malaysian government hospitals, where we were absorbed almost immediately without delay.

Calling for those SPM leavers, who are seeking for career advice. Do think twice before making any firm decision for your future.

#spmleaver #medicalcareerprospects #doctordentistpharmacists