Irish college plans for medical course raises eyebrows

An internationally-renowned institution is all set to start offering a medical degree to graduates, with plans in motion to set up a campus in Malta in time for a September 2008 kick-off.

Talks between the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the Maltese authorities were yesterday described as being "in an advanced stage".

But this has raised the eyebrows of both the Medical Association of Malta and the Medical Students Association, with both voicing concern about the new medical school.

MAM general secretary Martin Balzan and student body president Matthew Borg sounded cautious when contacted yesterday.

The two highlighted the importance that this new venture does not work against students studying at the Medical School of Malta.

Throughout the years, the intake of medical students remained low in order to ensure that each gets enough practice on real cases through a good patient-to-student ratio. Dr Balzan said he was worried that the opening of a new campus could lead to competition over patients among the students themselves.

Mr Borg said students were just about managing to get the needed training as things stood at the moment, and if the annual intake was doubled - the new school is expected to have an annual intake of 60 students - problems could emerge.

It was announced yesterday that in the second part of their training, students following the new course would be able to have clinic experience through hospital attachments.

The Medical School of Malta was already understaffed, Mr Borg said, adding that there were already a limited number of lecturers in Malta. The students' body, which discussed the issue, is worried about lecturers stretching their time.

Dr Balzan urged the government not to enter into any agreements with third parties and then expect Maltese doctors to teach them.

Asked how the association looked at the possibility of the RCSI offering post-graduate training, Dr Balzan said post-graduate training was the responsibility of local specialist associations and any initiative must involve them.

The new college plans to offer a four-year medical programme to students already in possession of a first degree. Although the course is mainly targeted at international students, locals are welcome and will also be able to apply for scholarships.

The college's deputy chief executive, Terence McWade, said at a press conference that this would open opportunities for further collaboration, with the possibility of offering courses at post-secondary level. He said the team of trainers would be made up of both Maltese and Irish.

Cathal Kelly, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at RCSI, described this as a new concept in medical education, allowing graduates of other specialities to receive medical training.

He said there were "significant opportunities" for collaboration with local entities from a bio-medical perspective, even in a bid to secure EU funding.

Dr McWade said the RCSI would be setting up its own campus, but stopped short of saying where this would be.

The RCSI, established in 1784, has colleges in Malaysia, Bahrain and Dubai, with Malta being the first European campus outside of Dublin.

The proposal for the college opening had been analysed by the National Commission for Higher Education, which deemed it as an important step forward from which higher education in Malta would benefit.

The college also had discussions with the University of Malta.

Education Minister Louis Galea said the opening of the new campus fit in with the government's vision for Malta to become a centre of excellence in health care and education services. A steering group, made up of representatives from the education and health ministries, was being set up to conduct a series of technical meetings so that a final agreement could be reached by the end of the year.

Health Minister Louis Deguara said Malta has a long-standing history in medicine, dating back to the 13th century - something that, together with the pending opening of Mater Dei Hospital, acted in the country's favour. He expressed hope that, in the long run, this collaboration would "help stem the tide of doctors leaving the island".

Mark Brincat, chairman of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, was instrumental in bringing the college to Malta.