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2009-10-15 News Report [Central News Agency]
A controversy arose recently over Polish medical school graduates returning to Taiwan to take the physician qualification exam. The Control Yuan's investigation found that the Department of Health and the Ministry of Education mishandled the issue and today issued a corrective measure.
The Control Yuan today approved a proposal by Control Yuan members Yin Tso-chien and Chien Lin Hui-chun to censure the Department of Health and the Ministry of Education.
The Control Yuan members pointed out that in 2002, the Physician Act was amended to stipulate that those with European academic qualifications could directly take the domestic physician exam without first passing the Ministry of Education's academic credential evaluation. In the same year, the Department of Health also amended the enforcement rules of the Physician Act, clarifying that "Europe" referred to EU member states.
Yin Tso-chien stated that after Poland joined the EU in 2004, students who studied in Poland and returned to Taiwan to take the physician exam were also exempt from the Ministry of Education's academic credential evaluation. Under the operation of study-abroad agencies, many students originally studying medicine in the Philippines collectively transferred to Poland to study medicine in 2004.
She said, taking the study-abroad data from June 2009 as an example, there were 671 students studying in Poland, and some Polish medical universities even offered international programs specifically designed for Taiwanese students.
Yin Tso-chien noted that the loophole in this physician training system was well known to relevant authorities as early as 2005, but the Department of Health failed to address it promptly. The Ministry of Education also long neglected to collect data and plan for the recognition of foreign medical students' qualifications, demonstrating clear dereliction of duty.
The Control Yuan members also stated that the Department of Health and the Ministry of Education imposed a quota control on domestic medical school admissions, capping it at 1,300 students. Therefore, when Chang Jung Christian University and I-Shou University expressed strong interest in establishing medical programs, the Ministry of Education deferred discussion on the grounds that domestic medical education had already reached saturation.
The Control Yuan members questioned why the Department of Health and the Ministry of Education closed the door on domestic universities establishing medical programs while widely opening a backdoor for studying medicine in Poland, undermining the effectiveness of domestic medical student training quotas.
Yin Tso-chien said that during the investigation, the Control Yuan received approximately 120 petitions and over 200 emails from domestic and international medical students, parents, and others. Although the positions expressed varied, all agreed that relevant authorities should consider domestic medical quality in their policies, strengthen the content and methods of medical student internships, safeguard public health, and ensure the stability and consistency of regulations while protecting students' rights.
She said the Control Yuan has forwarded these opinions to the relevant authorities, hoping the government can establish a comprehensive system for the education, examination, and employment of physicians. 20091015
Source: http:/ / news. chinatimes. com/ 2……32009101501460,00,focus. html
Controversy over Polish Medical Students' National Exam - Health and Education Ministries Reprimanded
A controversy arose recently over Polish medical school graduates returning to Taiwan to take the physician qualification exam. The Control Yuan's investigation found that the Department of Health and the Ministry of Education mishandled the issue and today issued a corrective measure.
The Control Yuan today approved a proposal by Control Yuan members Yin Tso-chien and Chien Lin Hui-chun to censure the Department of Health and the Ministry of Education.
The Control Yuan members pointed out that in 2002, the Physician Act was amended to stipulate that those with European academic qualifications could directly take the domestic physician exam without first passing the Ministry of Education's academic credential evaluation. In the same year, the Department of Health also amended the enforcement rules of the Physician Act, clarifying that "Europe" referred to EU member states.
Yin Tso-chien stated that after Poland joined the EU in 2004, students who studied in Poland and returned to Taiwan to take the physician exam were also exempt from the Ministry of Education's academic credential evaluation. Under the operation of study-abroad agencies, many students originally studying medicine in the Philippines collectively transferred to Poland to study medicine in 2004.
She said, taking the study-abroad data from June 2009 as an example, there were 671 students studying in Poland, and some Polish medical universities even offered international programs specifically designed for Taiwanese students.
Yin Tso-chien noted that the loophole in this physician training system was well known to relevant authorities as early as 2005, but the Department of Health failed to address it promptly. The Ministry of Education also long neglected to collect data and plan for the recognition of foreign medical students' qualifications, demonstrating clear dereliction of duty.
The Control Yuan members also stated that the Department of Health and the Ministry of Education imposed a quota control on domestic medical school admissions, capping it at 1,300 students. Therefore, when Chang Jung Christian University and I-Shou University expressed strong interest in establishing medical programs, the Ministry of Education deferred discussion on the grounds that domestic medical education had already reached saturation.
The Control Yuan members questioned why the Department of Health and the Ministry of Education closed the door on domestic universities establishing medical programs while widely opening a backdoor for studying medicine in Poland, undermining the effectiveness of domestic medical student training quotas.
Yin Tso-chien said that during the investigation, the Control Yuan received approximately 120 petitions and over 200 emails from domestic and international medical students, parents, and others. Although the positions expressed varied, all agreed that relevant authorities should consider domestic medical quality in their policies, strengthen the content and methods of medical student internships, safeguard public health, and ensure the stability and consistency of regulations while protecting students' rights.
She said the Control Yuan has forwarded these opinions to the relevant authorities, hoping the government can establish a comprehensive system for the education, examination, and employment of physicians. 20091015
Source: http:/ / news. chinatimes. com/ 2……32009101501460,00,focus. html