There are 72 cardiac surgeons practising in the nation currently, according to Head of Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery, Prof. Dr Alwi Yunus. This number is to serve the total population of Malaysia in 2022 which is estimated at 32.7 million.
“This is inadequate for our population. There are many Cardiothoracic Surgery units in the country operating only as a single surgeon,” Prof. Dr. Alwi Yunus told BusinessToday as we posted the question of how serious is the shortage of cardiac surgeons in Malaysia to IJN.
“This collaboration with UITM seeks to address the critical shortage of cardiac surgeons in this nation,” he emphasized.
Prof. Dr. Alwi Yunus spoke to media after the signing and exchange of the memorandum with UITM.
This collaboration with UITM with the mission of strengthening medical care in Malaysia by introducing a new Cardiothoracic Surgery Programme for aspiring cardiothoracic surgeons.
This particular programme aims to increase the number of qualified cadiothoracic surgeons for meeting the desired ratio of cardiac surgeons to total populations.
This partnership will see both institutions sharing their resources and personnel to teach, supervise and train incoming trainees.
The 6-year Cardiothoracic Postgraduate Programme is split into two-components ie. two-years for masters in Surgical Science (Cardiothoracic) and final stage of four-year to receive a Doctorate in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Successful graduates will be eligible to register with National Specialist Registry.
The Memorandum of Agreement was signed by Professor Datuk Ts. Dr. Hajah Roziah Mohd Janor, Vice Chancellor of UiTM and Datuk Dr. Aizai Azan, CEO of IJN, witnessed by Assoc. Prof. Dr, Fazah Akhtar Hanapiah, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and DR. Hasri Samion @ Mingan, Chief Clinical Officer of IJN, and attened by Dato’ Dr. Abdul Rozali A Wathooth, Chairman of the Board of Director, IJN.
