PUTRAJAYA: Public hospitals can only absorb about 5,000 housemen each year, but more than 6,500 medical graduates emerge from both local and foreign institutions annually, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.
“There is now a waiting list (for housemen positions) of between three to six months and the wait could be longer in time to come. As part of a measure to control the supply of new doctors, we are now in discussions with the Education Ministry to review the minimum qualifications (for entry into medical schools),” said Dr Subramaniam at a press conference here yesterday.