SHAH ALAM: Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and the National Heart Institute (IJN) are collaborating to offer Cardiothoracic postgraduate programme, the first of its kind in the country.
UiTM in a statement here said the two-year basic programme (non-specialist programme) receives the support and cooperation of Malaysia Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon (MATCVS).
“According to a Ministry of Health (MOH) report, Malaysia needs about 160 cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons to achieve the ratio of 1 surgeon to 200,000 people. Currently we only have 60 specialists which give the ratio of 1 to 500,000 Malaysians.
“We are still lagging far behind compared to developed countries such the United States and United Kingdom. Seeing that the country is still lacking cardiothoracic surgeons, the initial focus of the cooperation is to carry out cardiothoracic surgery specialist education programme,” the statement said.
According to the statement, various preparations have been carried out to ensure the programme reached international standard, including getting the involvement of experienced specialists in public and private services such as specialists from leading universities in the country, IJN and MOH.
However, IJN and UiTM are still in discussion stage to finalise collaboration with the Royal Australian College of Surgeon (RACS) which was delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic.
“The discussion pertaining this programme is in the final stage for Malaysian Medical Council’s approval, before the programme can be offered for postgraduate student admission this September,” said the statement. – Bernama
