General Practitioners of the public health sector currently on study leave without pay to pursue postgraduat…
(No. B/348) Mr L. Caserne (Third Member for Port-Louis North & Montagne Longue) asked the Minister of Health and Wellness whether, in regard to General Practitioners of the public health sector currently on study leave without pay to pursue postgraduate studies, he will give the list thereof, indicating in each case, the – (a) university being attended; (b) field of specialty, and (c) duration thereof.
Madam Speaker, I am informed that at present, there are around 108 general practitioners who have been granted study leave without pay to pursue postgraduate studies. With regard to the list of general practitioners, the names thereof cannot be divulged for confidentiality reasons. Concerning part (b) of the question regarding the list of universities – (a) China, Dalian Medical University; (b) Huazhong University of Science and Technology; (c) Nanjing Medical University; (d) Egypt, Cairo University; (e) Germany, Academic Teaching Hospital, Wilhelm University; (f) Asklepios Specialist Clinic Lubben, Brandenburg; (g) Bad Hersfeld Hospital; (h) GoAcademy Düsseldorf; (i) ISL Sprachschule University; (j) Medical Association of WestphliaUppe, Munster; (k) Neprologicum Westfalen GbR; (l) Ruhr University of Bochum; (m) St Vincent-Kran Ken Hous Limbury Hospital; (n) Malaysia, University Sains; (o) South Africa, Nelson Mandela School of Medicine.
Hon. Minister, may I? I am sorry. Is it okay to table this?
Yes, of course. I am going to submit a copy of the list.
Yes, it is purely factual.
I am going to submit a copy of the list.
Yes, if you do not mind. It is purely factual! Hon. Caserne, you do not mind?
Yes, no issue!
Go ahead!
May I also the hon. Minister whether all the universities that he mentioned are currently recognised by the Medical Council of Mauritius? Is proper verification made prior approval to these leaves?
Proper? I did not get the last bit.
Is prior verification done prior approval of these leaves?
Normally, when they leave for further studies after their MBBS course, then, they do not ask permission. Even the law does not compel them to seek the clearance from the Medical Council. But, in fact, we are thinking of amending the law so that before proceeding abroad for studies, they will be bound to, at least, have their names registered and they have to mention the universities where they are going. As at now, it is not compulsory.
Yes, Dr. Aumeer!
Thank you, Madam Speaker. May I ask the hon. Minister, in view of a shortage of medical doctors in the public sector, how does he compensate for the large number of junior doctors who opt to go for tertiary studies? Should he now be considering a staggered release of these doctors so that we have sufficient enough to replace them in the public sector?
Yes, hon. Minister!
Madam Speaker, this is a fact. There is a shortage of doctors. But you cannot compel them to stay. If they want to go for higher studies; many of them leave their jobs and they go. That is the reason why the speciality which is missing, like geriatrics and gynaecology, in these particular fields, we are allowing them. Whereas in other fields, where we have enough doctors, we try to discourage them. But unfortunately, we cannot compel them to stay in the hospitals. That is the reason why we are now trying to get doctors who can work on sessional basis. We are trying to get a few of them. Secondly, we are also recruiting additional doctors on contract. It is a fact that we have a shortage of doctors, but we cannot compel to give up, that is, not to go abroad.
Hon. A. Duval!
May I ask the hon. Minister on the other hand, what about the scarcity areas? What incentives are being given by his Ministry to encourage doctors?
Non, là, c’est une autre question.
Non, c’est la même question.
Non, non, non!
Whether there are any incentives being given to the doctors?
I am not allowing this question!
Madam Speaker, let me ask the question.
You cannot! I am giving a ruling.
(Interruptions)
I do not think…
It is about doctors! May I ask the question?
No, because it does not arise!
(Interruptions)
You are still standing while I am speaking!
But you have not listened to the question!
I know what the question is. Please, sit down. An hon. Member: Asize, to pe argue la!
I am not allowing this question, otherwise we can have ten questions on the doctors who are…
But the previous question was whether we can block from looking for incentives and it is not relevant? An hon. Member: Do not get over-excited!
So, you are going to question my ruling? Okay, I am going next to hon. Rookny.
Madam Speaker, on a point of information first, since my PQ B/323 has been reallocated to the hon. Minister of Health, should I come with that first or should I…
No, no. You go to that question. This one!
So, B/349.
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