NHCO opposes curriculum for not serving country
Controversy over an international medical curriculum offered by will come to a head today at a seminar organised by the National Health Commission Office of Thailand (NHCO), which opposes the proposed course.
NHCO secretary-general |Dr Amphol Jidawatthana said the international curriculum did not support a key policy long upheld by all medical schools under government universities - that graduates should serve the Thai public, especially people living in rural areas.
The Medical Council expressed its "dismay" over the controversy and said the curriculum in question was not an international course - but merely a regular medical one taught in English, open to Thai students.
Council chairman Dr Somsak Lohlekha said: "I don't understand the opposition being launched against this curriculum. The Medical Council only evaluates a request to determine whether it meets requirements, and certifies it. Graduates from this course will need to obtain permits before practising medicine," he added.
"Our intention [in approving the curriculum] was only to see Thai doctors speaking English fluently to cope with instructional competency in text books, which are mostly in English. The Medical Council did not grant an international curriculum in this case," he said.
Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit did not comment against or for the curriculum, saying only that action should not affect the key policy that government-run medical schools would produce doctors to serve the Thai public. He said he needed to study more details of the curriculum.
Srinakharinwirot University did not offer comment or make any statement over the issue yesterday.
Permanent secretary Dr Phaijit Warachit cited the ministry's long standing stance favouring the key policy, saying he would attend the Medical Council's monthly meeting on Thursday, when the matter would be discussed.
The NHCO welcomed comments on its website at www.nationalhealth.or.th, or phone number 089-0035590. It will also launch an Abac poll to sound out public opinion over the matter.
Today's seminar will be held at the Richmond Hotel from 9.30am to noon.
