EXPANDING LIST OF REGISTRABLE BASIC MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS TO INCREASE POOL OF QUALIFIED SINGAPOREAN DOCTORS

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1570 
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER  30 NOVEMBER 2022

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song
MP for Aljunied GRC

Question No. 2490

To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider (i) reviewing and expanding the list of registrable basic medical qualifications to include more medical schools and (ii) setting up a system to convert overseas Singaporean doctors that currently have non-registrable qualifications but who can demonstrate the necessary knowledge to render the appropriate medical care in Singapore, so as to increase the pool of qualified Singaporean doctors practising in Singapore.

Answer

The list of registrable basic medical qualifications is governed by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC), which reviews the list time to time to meet the changing healthcare needs of the Singapore population.  The last review was completed in 2019, where basic medical qualifications from 103 universities globally are recognized by the SMC. MOH and SMC will continue to monitor and assess if the list of registrable basic medical qualifications should be reviewed and expanded.

To the MP’s second question on facilitating Singaporeans with non-registrable qualifications to practice here, there is already such a system in place. They can register with the SMC to take a Qualifying Examination. Individuals who pass the examination can be registered with the SMC to practice in Singapore. This ensures the quality of overseas-trained doctors practicing in Singapore, while ensuring that their aspirations to return home and practise are met.