News Straits Times
Government to continue offering scholarships to medical students, Anwar assures
By Audrey Dermawan | Sunday 11 June 2023

Scholarships for students pursuing studies in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy will continue, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today. - NSTP/MIKAIL ONG

GEORGE TOWN: Scholarships for students pursuing studies in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy will continue, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.

Answering a question from a Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) medical student at the 'Temu Anwar Pulau Pinang' programme here, the prime minister said he had spoken to the Public Service Department (PSD) on the matter.

"Since last week, I had held a special meeting with the PSD. They told me it was a previous policy (to stop sponsoring students in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy).

"I asked that they review the matter. Based on projection, the need for the medicine, dentistry and pharmacy sectors are still there.

"This means that scholarships for these sectors (medicine, dentistry and pharmacy) will continue," he said.

In her question, the student had sought an explanation following news that scholarships for students pursuing studies in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy would be stopped.

She said the move would burden students, especially those in the B40 group, to get a place for the course in local universities.

She also asked the government to consider the decision and to continue with offering scholarships to students pursuing studies in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.

Based on media reports, the PSD had decided to stop sponsoring students pursuing studies in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy following a study by the Health Ministry which projected an over-supply of medical officers from 2026 to 2030.

According to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, the Health Ministry's Health Indicators 2022 report showed a nationwide 1:420 ratio of doctor to population (across both public and private sectors), with a 1:400 ratio expected to be achieved in 2025.

Earlier today, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said discussion was in progress between the ministry and the PSD on the department's decision.

She said the ministry was also prepared to review a study conducted in 2019, which projected an oversupply of medical officers from 2026 to 2030.

"We know there are changes, especially post-Covid-19, so there may be new things that needed to be revisited in the study.

"Our worry is that the move (to halt sponsorship) may discourage students from pursuing studies (medicine, dentistry and pharmacy)," she was quoted as saying.

More than 5,000 students from various institutions of higher learning attended the 'Temu Anwar Pulau Pinang' programme.