Just a few weeks ago, it was announced that a group of academics and managers from the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (RCSI) had visited Malta and was actively considering establishing a second medical school in partnership with Maltese academic interests.
Fruitful discussions with the various relevant ministries and medical bodies has led to the joint understanding that if all should go well, the possibility of a second medical school may become a reality sooner rather than later. This would lead to a potential long-term relationship between the RCSI and Malta, the benefits of which are several.
The RCSI has developed a highly successful research pillar over the last decade with particular emphasis on translational research - a branch of medical research that attempts to more directly connect basic research to patient care.
Translational medicine is growing in importance in the healthcare industry. In the case of drug discovery and development, translational medicine typically refers to the 'translation' of basic research into therapies for patients.
At present, the RCSI has 207 active research grants, 152 funded research staff and 57 Ph.D. active students. Last year the college received a total of €17 million for research funding. Of this, 51 per cent was received from the Irish Health Research Board with the other major contributors coming from the EU, the Science Foundation of Ireland, and the Department of Health and Children. This clearly illustrates the RCSI's established success within the research environment.
It is envisaged that, in conjunction with the University of Malta, the RCSI would jointly apply for EU, Irish and other grants. This partnership would lead to Maltese researchers gaining access to translational research programmes. Furthermore, Maltese medical students and graduates would have access to M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes currently unavailable in Malta. This in turn should lead to exchange visits by Maltese and Irish researchers.
Maltese academics in the field of medical research are already highly respected worldwide thanks to their scientific input over many years. It is evident that Malta is currently suffering from a medical brain drain due to the departure of graduates seeking further studies abroad. The creation of a second medical school should strive to stem this outflow.
The benefits to local academics and doctors include the immediate employment of Maltese clinicians and academics, including the engagement of biomedical scientists. It should foster an increased ability to retain highly trained clinicians in the public sector. Other academic benefits include the access to the RCSI electronic library and programme in medical teacher and examiner training.
A relationship between the RCSI and the University of Malta should provide the opportunity to develop shared teaching facilities, such as the clinical skills training laboratory and the medical library.
It is understood that RCSI would provide a number of full and partial scholarships for suitably qualified Maltese citizens who wish to join its graduate entry programme at the proposed medical school. In economic terms, it is estimated that, when it is at its full complement, the graduate school would result in €8 million to €10 million being spent in the Maltese economy.
The postgraduate courses that would be held in Malta would focus on basic surgical skills, care of critically ill patients, and advanced trauma and life support. RCSI promises to help develop these training programmes, which, in association with the speciality bodies in Malta, should provide relevant courses at various points of training. If required, a shared curriculum could be included.
In addition, the relationship with the RCSI should facilitate clinical rotations between Ireland and Malta at basic and higher level and online access to medical training tools. RCSI would host and pay for leaders in the various clinical fields to visit the college.
Beyond the standard postgraduate course training programmes, the RCSI would be in a position to offer diploma to Masters level M.Sc. courses in quality healthcare, diplomas in management, an M.Sc in Industrial Pharmacy, and many other programmes.
I believe that this is an exciting time for the medical community and for Malta as a whole. The setting up of such a prestigious medical school will not only bring direct investment to Malta by attracting prospective foreign medical students from the Mediterranean and the Middle East, but would also further enrich our medical community both in prestige and academic excellence.