PETALING JAYA: The plunge in intake and rising resignation rate of housemanship have raised concerns over training conditions, career pathways and system readiness, according to MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, who called for urgent reforms. “To arrest this decline and restore confidence among young medical graduates, the Health Ministry must adopt a comprehensive and forward-looking approach. Dr Mah was responding to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who had earlier disclosed that only 529 medical graduates reported for 5,000 available housemanship positions. “The government should provide clearer timelines and guarantees for career advancement, including pathways into specialisation, scholarships for postgraduate studies and long-term employment within the public healthcare system. “Transparent investigations and meaningful reforms will be key to restoring confidence among medical graduates,” he said.

Source: The Star March 18, 2026 18:01 UTC