To be or not to be a Neonatologist in Malaysia...

A tough call...to advocate return or not to advocate return...knowing the truth...It depends on a lot of things but mainly, what is in the heart. If in the heart the desire to come home is strong, then come home...

Sharing from my inbox:

Friend:

Mazlyn, I think you can relate to this. I've been yearning to return to Malaysia n practice there but somehow I feel like my expertise will not be used to it's potential. The few people I talked to seem to want me to do paediatrics in addition to Neonatology. I did an additional 3 years of gruesome neonatology training on top of the 3 years of paediatrics that I h...ad to. I feel it's a setback. The local universities have a very unprofessional approach to emails, nobody replies! So I really don't know how to make this happen while not compromising my training. Any feedback is appreciated thanks!

Me:
Hi, I will answer this later.
do you mind if I paste it anonymous on my wall?

Friend:

Not at all and thanks!

Btw, I'm an assistant Professor of faculty at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. It's the number one children's hospital in the USA. I've worked very hard to get here, hence my apprehension despite the urge to do good in Malaysia, which I think will benefit in reducing their neonatal mortality

*****

Dear friends (specifically doctors and those in the academic field, which I think is the area of interest of this friend), would love to hear your suggestions and advice.

Disclaimer: This neonatologist was a privately sponsored student so there is no issue with bonds/loans as far as I am aware.See More

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• Felicia Ng, Shaktivel Palanivel, Ranga Sri and 9 others like this.
• Asri Said If she doesnt mind working in Sarawak. She can email the dean of unimas faculty of medicine and health sciences. rahata@fmhs.unimas.my

  22 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 2
• Mazlyn Mustapha I was thinking visiting and meeting the dean/s in person is probably a better idea, or using connections, for example someone you know, to approach the dean/s on your behalf...

  22 hours ago · Edited · Like · 1
• Feroza Sulaiman Zainur Rashid Zainuddin Adibah Ghafar Aileen Wee Oteh Maskon Mohd Mazri Yahya Julina Johami Hema Malini Tengku Alini Tengku Lih know any neonatologists that can help out?

  21 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
• Mohd Iqbal Iyen Fahisham Taib can answer this...:)

  21 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
• Norasyikin Mustafa Or Kak Nor Azizah Abu

  21 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
• Nurman Yaman Mohammad Iqbal Sarwar

  21 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
• Nurman Yaman Dr iqbal is a neonatologist. Now working in one of the private hospitals in KL. He too was searching high and low for place to work. He might be the best person to guide

  21 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
• Fadh Zakaria Hi...can email straight to upm 's dean.. she is a peads ID.. she might give big help... I ll pm u the email add

  21 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
• Nurman Yaman One way is to find dedicated neonatology ward/nicu in malaysia. I know that hukm got one and lead by prof cheah. Can try to link if interested

  21 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
• Mazlyn Mustapha From inbox (friend who wants to remain anonymous)
  
  7:18am
  Hi mazlyn. This is my reply to your paeds friend working in US tu. I don't want to reply on your wall because i don't want to invite the wrong response.
  
  If he wants to come back to improve his career, improve the neonatal mortality or some other bigger agenda that he has in terms of health advancements and career, he may be disappointed. Coming from a 1st world country to a developing nation, there will be a lot of frustration. I don't know what sort of character this person has, but some people gave up and went back to UK/US/ aussie etc, some didn't last long in public sector and joined private sector (which i personally thinks beats the purpose if what u want is to help the nation).
  But if he wants to come back for other reasons: don't want the children to be schooled the mat salleh way, have to take care of elderly parents, feels like he's not "home" as long as he is still in US, then by all means, come back. That way, his career is a second priority and he won't be frustrated with all the setbacks, problems, bureaucracy and issues that he will certainly face here.
  
  I haven't even touched about joining public uni, KKM or private. And if public uni, which one?
  
  After seeing my colleagues with excellent career overseas came back and got frustrated, i felt that they are better off staying overseas. This is not sarcasm. This is reality. I think it is easier to adapt to malaysian medicine when one is still relatively junior. Not when one is already at a consultant (or equivalent post).
  So tell him, have a higher agenda if he wants to come back. Something not related to his career or medicine.

  21 hours ago · Like · 9
• Mazlyn Mustapha Actually...it's a she...not that it's relevant...just saying :D

  21 hours ago · Like
• Mazlyn Mustapha Anonymous, while I agree with you in principle, I would on the other hand encourage this neonatologist to come back and at least try it out. Yes, a lot of people get frustrated, myself included, but some are able to withstand it, and I couldn't predict which one's which...so...let them decide for themselves. But I agree that having a higher purpose always, always helps in any difficult situation. :D

  21 hours ago · Like · 4
• Nurman Yaman Moving to a new place is a new challenge. If a person doesnt want to face the challenges, dont move. But if he/she willing to accept that different places have different levels of adaptations, working environments etc, by all means, move. Some survived and some do went back to UK/US. Give it a try. Get sabatical leave in US and try working in Malaysia. If all fail, move back to US.

  21 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
• Amy Mohamed EVERYTHING IN MALAYSIA IS BEING POLITICISE......... THIS IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  21 hours ago · Unlike · 4
• Fadh Zakaria Totally agree... Malaysian medicine is not as advance as US... thus she will face frustration and difficulties if she is so used to the US system... but give it a try will be good choice.. and will do no harm too ;)

  20 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
• Jr Moorthy Hmmm....this person sounds familiar

  20 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 2
• Selva Raja Contact Talent corporation malaysia. They will arrange everything

  20 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 2
• Amy Mohamed Have the TalentCorp people come over to your place in USA???? Searching for Medical Professionals???? I met with Dato' Dr Noor Hisham the Director General (Medical) for Ministry of Health while he was following Talent Corp to London in search for Medical Professionals. He explained that even though you are in private, you can still have sessional sessions in the public to help with the pubic matters. This is allowed. So why don't you contact Talent Corp and see if they are coming to USA anytime soon........ Or email Dato' Dr Noor Hisham himself at anhisham@moh.gov.my and ask him about your dilemma. I am not a medical background myself. This is just a suggestion

  20 hours ago · Unlike · 6
• Hameeth Shah The health care system in UK and US is soo good? Mmmmmm I wonder in what sense...they might have advanced in the sense of technologies.. But do they have a system to cater for the poor? Someone who is not been paying to NHS can they get treatment for chronic disease? And why people From US cross the border to Canada and falsely claiming their friends over there as their partners so they can benefit for the chronic illnesses as in US if u don't pay the health insurance u are not covered at all....
  Well, The current DG is very approachable.. Contact him directly and he will clarify.. I have messaged him. in FB for some quiries and he replied.. No need to be too formal and email.. Even a Facebook message he will reply...

  19 hours ago via mobile · Edited · Unlike · 1
• Mazlyn Mustapha This is my timeline and I allow freedom of speech as long as mutual respect is upheld.

  19 hours ago via mobile · Like
• Mazlyn Mustapha Please continue to complain as long as the arguements/points are valid. Anyone want to suggest improvements are welcomed. The first step towards problem solving is acknowledging a problem exists

  19 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
• Ida Bakar To Hameeth Shah, a clarification: the NHS is free at the point of use. Anybody who needs urgent treatment gets treated, nobody is turned away from any NHS hospital because they cannot pay. This applies to everyone.
  
  For people visiting the UK, the hospital will try to get money back for their treatment via their travel insurance. If there is no such provision, the patient is still treated in NHS hospitals when it comes to follow-up etc.
  
  The NHS is funded by taxation, not private health insurance. So, anybody who is a citizen or resident in the UK is eligible, even those who never worked in the UK but live here legally (because in the end everybody pays some sort of tax eg the VAT at 20%). Students are eligible for NHS treatment as are refugees and asylum seekers and prisoners.
  
  There is a group of people who gets into a grey area: UK citizens who live abroad all their working lives, pay no tax in the UK, only to return home when they are pensioners and without health insurance. In my experience, they still receive all the benefits of the NHS eg. Hip replacement, chronic disease management etc etc.

  18 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 5
• Hameeth Shah Thanks Ida bakar for the info...

  18 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
• Margaret Soo Im not a neonatologist but i have a few points to share...
  - coming back to serve the country and the people is a very noble act.....the financial part, job satisfaction and career advancement are secondary. We cant have the best in both worlds...
  -working in the private sector is also serving the people, not necessarily working in the public sector only...
  -why cant we complain??? If we are not happy, not satisfied with any systems, please complain and voice out....we have been keeping quiet for too long!! And of course ( laughing loudly), if we have the solution and ways to rectify the current healthcare, we will be sitting in the ministry, dont you think so?
  -Healthcare here is at a crossroad now....not sure which way we are heading? I care not too far away, so is separation of dispensing...But I have full faith with our current DG....he is the best so far.....

  17 hours ago · Unlike · 7
• Mazlyn Mustapha Well said Margaret Soo & everyone, thanks for your participation. Hopefully something good will come out of this :D

  17 hours ago · Edited · Like · 3
• Shaktivel Palanivel Contact Talent Corp. They helped so many of my friends. The current DG is also very proactive and helpful.

  17 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 3
• Ahmad Kamal Bin Abdollah should definitely contact Talent Corp

  16 hours ago · Unlike · 1
• Vasanthi Palani i know the above mentioned person...

  16 hours ago · Unlike · 1
• Vasanthi Palani Jr Moorthy and myself know this person...in PERSON...hahahahah..too much of info there pertaining that person...

  16 hours ago · Edited · Unlike · 1
• Mohammad Iqbal Sarwar I had the same apprehension before I took the plunge. Previously neonatal consultant in a large tertiaty unit in Manchester with an excellent team..one that I still miss. Everyone has their own reasons for coming home. Talentcorp can help but the bulk of the work must be done by yourselves. Both private n the public sector has it's own advantages and disadvantages. For me despite everything. ..at the end of the day it is a lifestyle choice. You can contribute equally in the private sector. Speak...network....visit as many people as you can. There are many willing to help.

  14 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 4
• Boon Teck So sad. The system is not ready for talent, a story retold many folds in the Bolehland. Your friend should be in the capital to impart her advanced profession to doctors here !

  12 hours ago · Unlike · 1
• Boon Teck From the little I know, I feel the system here is just not designed to attract and take up higher talents. No particular dedicated procedure set up to cater for such purpose; what is the point of "wanting to ask talents to come back" when in reality no such system exists? Candidates have to hunt high and low for "contacts" and "cable"; this is definitely wrong. The politicians talk as if they are most welcomed of talents, but probably 'just a bluff" (sorry for slightly strong phrase). No capable and qualified professional including doctors with such high and noble intention with high sacrifices should be made to go round and round. To be sincere, make sure such system is well spelt out (what qualifications are needed, what remunerations provided, perks and benifits, etc) and set up. It is definitely no difficult to set up and maintain such system.

  12 hours ago · Edited · Unlike · 1
• Hanafiah Harunarashid In short, welcome home...the country needs you. The people needs you....

  9 hours ago · Unlike · 1
• Lim Lian Cheoo The people may need you,but the country? Which country? Do you mean our neighbor , Singapore? Yes! More than 1/2 of their Drs are but Malaysians.
  My distant relative, a qualified paeds from Irland is now there, getting much2 higher pay although she came back wanting to be served! Alas... I don't know if I'm wrong. Our country need no talented ppl, from top students to what ever professionals. Don't know what to say la!

  9 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
• Hanafiah Harunarashid JFK said: ask not what the country gives you...ask what you give to the country....

  9 hours ago · Unlike · 2
• Ziham Fauzi Bureaucracy..that is the problem I feel that has kept us into being a developing country rather than a developed one. Everything is determined by agendas and ulterior motives which is why it is not surprising that this has happened to your friend. I unfortunately have gone through something similar as your friend did albeit at a different level. I Have corresponded with a uni to get into the masters program of which I have applied to nearly 1.5yrs ago. None of my emails have been replied to only to receive an offer letter sent to cork, Republic of Ireland on the 25th may to report for duty on the 3rd of June. Preposterous! Another mate who is a head of neurology department in Plymouth had planned to come back to set up a stroke unit only to be told he could only be offered an associate prof and no stroke unit. Another friend who joined a private cardiology department was even threatened on call rosters etc. As others have mentioned, meeting the head of department will give her the best chance of getting anywhere close to what she wants but be prepared to be disappointed with the system. Bureaucracy, that is what is running the health system. Anyone in the business denying this is either fooling themselves or are already at the top. Sad but true.

  9 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 2
• Ziham Fauzi JFK also said
  The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie -- deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. Belief in myths allows the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.

  9 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 3
• Patricia Anne Martinez It is simply shocking that WE NEED SOMEONE LIKE YOUR FRIEND, DESPERATELY, IN OUR PUBLIC HOSPITALS... and no one can be bothered to reply to her emails. So just how much of ajak ajak ayam is this business of getting talented Malaysians to come back - got program and all, some more, perks offered....and lot of moaning and groaning about no takers!!!! This country heading down the longkang when we do this to talented Malaysians

  9 hours ago · Unlike · 3
• Boon Teck There is abundance of third world mentality in bureaucracy in so many agencies, the more glaring being the government ones. I am not working in the west but my many interactions and dealings with the universities, immigration and agencies just left me in awed on what efficiency, dedication, honesty, and being transparent mean in their systems. The requirements, procedures and remunerations are so well spelt out that leaves no doubt of what are wanted and not. Internet use for most of these functions are so good that u save time, money and heartaches (not to mention disillusionment), unlike here the websites are meant to showoff with colourful pictures, boastful statements, but difficult to use. Here, the systematic seems intent to make us confuse, just like our highway road signs that read like little booklets meant to make us miss our roads, or hidden behind trees. These reflect our ignorance and negligence of the importance of meritocracy as the basis for talent development and leaderships. I am still shocked as to why those who have made it so well in developed country want to come back. The noble intentions are just that. Better open the eyes wide and read enough to know that not all is well here.

  9 hours ago · Edited · Unlike · 3
• Shi Han Ini semua salah doctor house... local doctor will scare to death copying what House did ro his patients.

  49 minutes ago via mobile · Like