| Start: May 14, 2011 9:00 am
End: May 14, 2011 12:30 pm |
Venue: Malaysia Hall
Address: London, United Kingdom |
As the realisation of Vision 2020 draws closer, it is clear that our health system must undergosubstantial changes in order to achieve standards on par with developed nations. Amongst the subject matters that hold the key to achieving this transition is the increase in the number of skilled healthcare professionals and the quality of the delivery of healthcare service to the population.
No doubt, medical facilities such as the hospitals in Sungai Buloh, Selayang and Ampang easily meet international healthcare standards, however, the rest of Malaysia must contend with healthcare services that are of a lower standard. Take our largest state Sarawak into context, where 2.5 million people rely upon one hospital in Kuching that is fast becoming overcrowded and understaffed. Certainly there have been new developments such as the 1Malaysia Clinics that give disadvantaged groups access to proper healthcare, but therein arises another series of questions as to the feasibility of the scheme in terms of its funding.
Our medical students here in the United Kingdom also face tough questions that they must answer. Malaysian medical students spending 5 years in the United Kingdom no doubt must carry a heavy burden with regards to the scale of the investment on their part. They return to face the realities of what can only be described as relatively low salaries, subpar working environments, and unattractive career prospects back home to cite a few of the problems they encounter.
The council believes it is timely that the Health Ministry take urgent action into plugging the brain drain in the medical profession. By clearing the air and answering their queries, as well as addressing these concerns with an unbiased view on the matter, we believe that the Ministerial Series will bring enormous benefit to what could be the seeds of a world class medical workforce.
With the belief that a progressive nation is built on the backs of a healthy workforce, clearly the Health Ministry has an important role to play in our nation’s development. The UKEC is honoured to call upon the Health Minister to conduct a series of intellectual discussions showcasing the issues our health system faces at home and the initiatives that our government is undertaking in order to resolve them.
The tentative itinerary is as follows:
8.45 am Arrival and Registration of Participants
9.30 am Welcoming Speech by Farquar Haqqani, Chairman of UKEC
9.45 am Opening Speech by His Excellency Datuk Zakaria Sulong, High Commissioner of Malaysia to the United Kingdom and Ireland
10.00 am Session with Minister of Health, YB Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai
11.00 am Question & Answer Session
11.30 am Light Refreshments & Meet and Greet Session
12.15 am Photo Session, Event ends
If you have any enquiries, please contact Roshan at roshanmark@ukeconline.com .
