Meeting the need for more doctors
THERE has been a lot of adverse press recently about the number of medical graduates inundating the Malaysian health sector, but the fact remains that our nation is still short of the 1:400 doctor-to-population target ratio to be achieved by 2020 as set by the Malaysian Government.
Worsening this state of affairs is the severe shortage of medical specialists all around the globe, with some estimating that Malaysia is facing a shortage of 7,000 medical professionals.
It has become imperative that students who harbour aspirations of pursuing a career in healing choose the right medical school.
None is more highly recommended than the Melaka-Manipal Medical College (MMMC).
MMMC ensures its students get a thorough grounding through its Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programmes with the assumption that its students already have an eye on postgraduate qualifications after they graduate.
The college also provides preparatory courses for the Professional Linguistic Assessments Board test and the United States Medical Licensing Examination at its Melaka campus.
MMMC has been at the forefront of medical education since its inception in 1997 and celebrated 20 exceptional years last year.
Its twinning degree programmes ensure that students have the benefit of pre-clinical training in the Manipal Campus in India before returning to Malaysia to improve their clinical skills.
MBBS students perfect their clinical skills in hospitals in Melaka, Johor and other government hospitals while dentistry students hone their clinical skills in MMMC’s on-campus dental clinic.
The MBBS is the flagship of MMMC that saw its first cohort in 1997.
In this particular twinning programme, students complete two and a half years of pre-clinical basic science studies at the Manipal Campus.
They then return to Malaysia for another two and a half years of comprehensive clinical training.
MMMC has delivered high-quality medical professionals with 3,700 doctors having graduated from the college to date. Many are now practising all over the globe.
With the full allocation of RM150,000 from the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) available for MBBS applicants, those who hesitated to apply for the MBBS in the past can now look forward to fulfilling their dreams.
Launched in 2009, the BDS at MMMC measures up to the performance of a similar programme offered by the Manipal College of Dental Surgery – the latter having been among the top dental schools in India for the past few years.
PTPTN loans are also available for BDS applicants though the terms and conditions differ from that of MBBS applicants.
Manipal University, founded in 1953, is recognised for imparting high-quality professional education and has been the preferred study destination for students from over 57 countries for the past 65 years.
The university has 20 constituent colleges that offer over 195 courses across 14 streams including medicine, dentistry, engineering, nursing, allied health sciences, pharmacy, life sciences, hotel management, regenerative medicine, geopolitics and cultural studies.
The MMMC’s Foundation in Science (FIS) is a one-year pre-university programme conducted fully at the Melaka campus.
This programme is designed to provide students with a sound academic foundation, especially for those aiming to further their studies in medicine, dentistry and other health sciences programmes at MMMC.
Unlike the pure sciences and mathematics offered in general foundation programmes in Malaysia, MMMC’s FIS is embedded with pre-clinical introductory subjects such as basic anatomy and physiology, basic pharmacology, forensic science and oral biology.
Scholarships of up to 100% coverage for the FIS programme are now being offered to students with straight As in last year’s SPM and GCE O-Levels examinations. Even those with 7As are eligible for financial incentives.
The facilities in both the Manipal and Malaysian campuses are second to none.
Both campuses are equipped with various teaching and learning facilities including
Auditoriums, lecture halls, classrooms, multidisciplinary laboratories, clinical skills learning centres, fully equipped libraries and computer laboratories.
Other amenities include student hostels, cafeterias, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, a sauna, squash courts, a football field, a basketball court and simulated games.
MMMC’s campus ensures that its students are inspired to pursue studies with zest and passion.
Its facilities cater to teaching and learning as well as fulfilling recreational requirements by providing amenities for students’ comfort and well-being.
In addition, every classroom, lecture theatre and laboratory is wellequipped with appropriate facilities to provide both teachers and students with the best learning ambience.
MMMC’s information technology system and facilities are regularly updated and made accessible to students because the college has created a highly tech-savvy environment for students in line with its belief that modern technology is a key factor in facilitating the teaching and learning process.