How Veterinarians Operate In Malaysia

Pix by Petpositive

Monday September 27, 2010 (The Star Online)

Speak up

A SORE point with vets is the Second Schedule in the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1974. In the schedule, Part I covers vets from listed institutions in Australia, Britain Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia and New Zealand. Part II includes those from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka).

If you are a vet under government service, and your qualification falls under Part II, that means a lower salary package. There are many countries whose vet degrees are not recognised because they are not in the schedule.

So vets who qualified from institutions in the United States, Europe (excluding Britain), Taiwan, Japan and even Thailand cannot practise in this country.

Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin says: “When I became DG, (in 2006) I promised to change this. I have sent a proposal to the Attorney-General’s chambers, though I only need the Minister’s approval to add to the Schedule. My proposal is not to have a list at all. Just have a line saying that all the best and recognised institutions will be accepted. All they need is to meet the local requirements and are verified to have qualified from those institutions.”

Hopefully this comes through soon as all the players in the veterinary profession say there is a shortage of qualified vets in public service, in the livestock industry and even in private practice.

Other issues
To overcome this shortage, the DVS allows foreign vets to practise or teach in Malaysia. Under Section 13 of the Act, the Malaysian Veterinary Council (MVC), with the approval of the Minister (of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry), can allow a vet registered outside of Malaysia (or not falling under the Second Schedule) a temporary practising permit (TPC). But this is subject to certain conditions and restrictions – most importantly, the period must not exceed six months.

So why would someone come all the way here to work for such a short period?

“We make sure the livelihood of local vets is not jeopardised by their presence. Even though there is no provision to renew their permits, we do it anyway,” explains Dr Abdul Aziz.

According to the MVC, there are 18 foreign vets with TPCs. Their length of service is between six months and three years. Their permits are renewable as long as their employers require their services.

There are many other grouses with regard to the Act. One is the fact that the profession is regulated by the Government and not self-regulated as is done in Britain.

The Council members are appointed instead of being elected. Also, the Council seems more heavily represented by government appointees with minimal representation from the private sector. The Council investigates and also metes out sentences, so there is no separation of powers.

One of the gripes among pet owners is that there is no standard fee and charge. They are at the mercy of their veterinary surgeons. There is no provision for the MVC to regulate this.

Dr Clement says the MSAVA came up with an internal mechanism to regulate charges but it was dependent on a number of factors, including the overheads the vets incurred.

“If clients are not satisfied with the charges imposed by the vet, they can officially write in or contact the MSAVA. We will contact the vet and ask for justification for the charges, to solve the problem amicably,” says Dr Clement.

Over to you, clients and the rest of the interest groups. What do you say? – By S.S. Yoga


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