The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) is already under fire for refusing to recognize cardiothoracic surgeons, who have obtained qualifications from the health ministry through a parallel pathway program. Now, Four cardiothoracic surgeons, who acquired specialist qualifications from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd), are seeking registration as specialists under Section 14C of the Medical Act 1971.
Doctors who filed the application:
This marks the third application seeking judicial review proceedings against the medical practice regulator since last December. The application has been brought by Drs. Nur Aziah Ismail and Chong Kee Soon from the National Heart Institute (IJN), along with Drs. Syed Nasir Syed Hassan and Lok Yuh Ing from public hospitals. These doctors have successfully completed their specialization in cardiothoracic surgery (FRCS Ed) and also passed the RCSEd Joint Specialty Fellowship Examination in cardiothoracic surgery, which is recognized in both Hong Kong and Singapore.
Their demands:
Through this legal battle, these doctors are demanding a certiorari order to annul MMC’s decision, made on October 17 last year, rejecting their registration applications due to non-recognition of their qualifications. They are also seeking a mandamus order compelling the regulator to recognize their FRCS Ed qualification within seven days. Additionally, they are seeking general and exemplary damages against the medical council and demand that the regulator bear legal costs.
