KUALA LUMPUR, 27 APRIL 2022 – Universiti Malaya (UM) through its Faculty of Medicine signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCS Ed), United Kingdom; Malaysian Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (MATCVS); and Academy of Medicine Malaysia (AMM) to provide six years structured training in Cardiothoracic Surgery in Malaysia, in which 28 candidates will be awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in the Specialty of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
The MOU was signed by Universiti Malaya’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), President of the MATCVS, Master of the AMM, and President of the RCS Ed. It was witnessed by the Director-General of Health and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Universiti Malaya.
There has been a huge deficiency in the number of cardiothoracic surgeons nationally. Traditionally the surgeons were trained in an apprenticeship based module after the having completed their postgraduate training in general surgery. This module of training takes a very long time to produce a Cardiothoracic Surgeon and there has always been a deficient in the numbers of surgeons in the public sector.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias in her welcoming speech said that realising this, Universiti Malaya worked together with the Malaysian Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Institut Jantung Negara, and Academy of Medicine Malaysia, to start a structured training program for Cardiothoracic Surgery. The parallel Pathway program was started in 2016 and has 28 trainees up to now.
“We are proud to know that the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery Universiti Malaya is one of the best training centre for this program. Equipped with 3 consultant cardiothoracic Surgeons, they have been able to deliver high quality training for the trainees and give them a variety of exposure in all aspects of Adult Cardiac Surgery, Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery, Minimally Invasive and Complex Thoracic Surgery, and Complex Aortic and Endovascular Surgery. They don’t only excel in delivering clinical training but also in running international training courses like the KL Review Course and International Aortic Symposium.
“With our huge commitment for academic and training we feel privileged to be part of this historic MoU. Universiti Malaya will be the educational providing body for the parallel pathway training program in this MoU and will work closely with all the stake holders of this program to ensure that we produce a safe Cardiothoracic Surgeon for the Nation.
“28 trainees are currently undergoing Cardiothoracic Surgery training through the parallel pathway - 17 from the Ministry of Health, 8 from IJN, 2 from Universiti Malaya, and 1 from Brunei through a special arrangement with the Brunei government. The first batch of trainees will be taking their exit examination in Cardiothoracic Surgery next month and are expected to complete their training and be awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in the Specialty of Cardiothoracic Surgery in June this year. They will be eligible for registration in the National Specialist Register (NSR) for Cardiothoracic Surgery after an additional year of supervised practice,” she said.
The National Curriculum in Cardiothoracic Surgery was today launched by the Director-General of Health and President of the Malaysian Medical Council, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that the National Curriculum in Cardiothoracic Surgery sets the training requirements for cardiothoracic surgery training in the country. It is an important resource for both trainers and trainees in cardiothoracic surgery Malaysia.
“The curriculum adheres to the standards set by the Malaysian Medical Council. All cardiothoracic training programs in the country will need to meet the requirements in the national curriculum to ensure that safe and competent cardiothoracic surgeons are produced. The National Curriculum in Cardiothoracic Surgery is an initiative of the Medical Deans Council and the Malaysian Association for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery,” he said.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias also added that in line with structured training and standardisation of training opportunities, the National Curriculum for subspeciality Training was started for all the major specialities in the country under the leadership of Prof Dato' Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman. The National Curriculum in Cardiothoracic Surgery sets the training requirements for cardiothoracic surgery training in the country. It is an important resource for both trainers and trainees in cardiothoracic surgery Malaysia.
“The curriculum adheres to the standards set by the Malaysian Medical Council. All cardiothoracic training programs in the country will need to meet the requirements in the national curriculum to ensure that safe and competent cardiothoracic surgeons are produced. The National Curriculum in Cardiothoracic Surgery is an initiative of the Medical Deans Council and the Malaysian Association for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. Here I would like to congratulate Assoc Prof Dr Sivakumar Krishnasamy and his team who has written the blue print for Cardiothoracic training in this country,” she said.