Malaysia Withdraws Recognition Of Ukraine's CSMU Medical Programme With Immediate Effect

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- The medical study programme offered by Crimea State Medical University (CSMU), Ukraine was withdrawn from the second schedule of the 1971 Medical Act with immediate effect. Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said following this, graduates of CSMU who completed their studies must pass the medical qualifying test to register with the Malaysian Medical Council (MPM) as a doctor. "It must be stressed, their (graduates) right to sit for the qualifying test will not be denied," he said in a statement. Liow clarified that the decision to withdraw the programme was made based on the suggestion of the monthly meeting of the MPM Medical Studies Recognition Technical Committee, after finding several weaknesses in CSMU. CSMU received recognition to offer a medical study programme on Aug 7, 2001 but since then many complaints had been received with regard to the institution and the performances of its graduates. A visitors' panel for re-evaluation sent in 2003 found many serious weaknesses which were believed to be adversely affecting the quality of study at CSMU. He said, the Cabinet supported the withdrawal of the recognition of CSMU by MPM in 2005, but to ensure it would not affect Malaysian students studying there, the decision only involved students registered at the university after Dec 31, 2005. But during a re-evaluation visit last Oct 18-20, following several requests by CSMU, the evaluation panel found there were still serious weaknesses as found in the previous visits, he said. Liow stressed that the decision was professionally done after taking into account all important aspects, especially the safety of patients and justice to the students and their families. -- BERNAMA