Fulfilling the need for doctors
THERE have been many adverse reports recently about the numbers of medical graduates inundating the Malaysian health system.
Yet the fact remains that the nation is still short of the 1:400 doctor-to-population target by the Year 2020 set by the Malaysian Government.
In addition, the severe shortage of medical specialists is all around the globe; some estimate it to be about 7,000 in Malaysia itself.
It has become imperative that students who harbour aspirations of pursuing a career of healing choose the correct medical school.
None is higher recommended than Melaka-Manipal Medical College (MMMC).
MMMC ensures a thorough grounding in their Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programmes with a view that their students already have an eye on postgraduate qualifications after they graduate.
Towards this, MMMC even provides preparatory courses for the PLAB and USMLE examinations at its campus in Melaka.
MMMC has always been in the forefront of medical education since its inception in 1997 and celebrated its 20 exceptional years in 2017.
Its twinning degree programmes ensure that students have the benefit of pre-clinical training in their Manipal, India campus, and the return to Malaysia for clinical skills perfecting.
MBBS students perfect their clinical skills in Malaysian hospitals of Melaka, Muar, Jasin and other government hospitals, while dentistry students hone their clinical skills in MMMC’s own on-campus dental clinic.
The MBBS is the flagship of MMMC with its first cohort in 1997.
In this twinning programme, students complete two and a half years of preclinical basic sciences studies in the Manipal campus.
They return to Malaysia for another two and a half years of comprehensive clinical training in Malaysia.
MMMC has delivered quality medical professionals with 3,700 doctors having graduated to-date – many of whom practise all over the globe.
With the full allocation of RM150,000 PTPTN loan available for MBBS applicants, those who hesitated to apply previously for the MBBS, can now look forward to fulfilling their passionate dreams.
PTPTN loans are also available for BDS applicants though terms and conditions differ from MBBS applicants. Both the medical and dental programmes are conducted in collaboration with the renowned Manipal University, India.
Manipal University, founded in 1953, is recognised for imparting high quality professional education and has been the preferred 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, pharmacy, life sciences, hotel management, regenerative medicine, geopolitics, cultural studies and many more.
The MMMC’s Foundation in Science (FIS) is a one-year pre-university programme fully conducted at the Melaka campus.
This programme is designed to provide students with a sound academic foundation especially for those aiming for medicine and dentistry studies at MMMC and other health sciences programmes.
Apart from the pure sciences and mathematics offered in general foundation programmes in Malaysia, MMMC’s FIS is embedded with preclinical introductory subjects such as basic anatomy & physiology, basic pharmacology, forensic science and oral biology.
Scholarships are now being offered for students with straight As in the 2017 SPM and GCE O-Levels examinations up to 100% for the FIS programme, and even those with 7As are eligible for financial incentives.
The facilities in both Manipal and Malaysia campuses is second to none, including various teaching and learning facilities, auditorium, lecture halls, classrooms, multi-disciplinary labs, clinical skills learning centre and computer labs.
Other amenities include student hostels, cafeterias, gymnasium, swimming pool, sauna, squash courts, football field, basketball court, simulated games and more.
Academic facilities include lecture theatres, tutorial rooms, laboratories, clinical skills learning centre and fully equipped library.
The Information Technology System and facilities are regularly updated and made accessible to students.
■ Call 1800 226 662, 017-289 3055/ 017-219 3055/ 017-374 3055/ 017691 3055/ 06-289 6662 (ext: 1005/1020/1032/1035/1142), e-mail info@manipal.edu.my or visit http://www.manipal.edu/melaka for details.