‘Shorter training period not to tackle medical officer shortage’

The Health Ministry has emphasised that a shorter housemanship training period is not intended to tackle the shortage of medical officers but to enhance productivity through more focused and efficient training.

Health director-general Dr Radzi Abu Hassan said the proposed shortened training period for housemen aligns with the Medical Act 1971 (Act 50), which mandates a minimum training period of one year, stating that the training period was extended to two years in 2008.