Department of Health (DOH) Minister Yeh Ching-chuan (葉金川) yesterday stood by his policy that overseas medical school graduates must first have their diploma approved, complete a domestic internship and pass national exams before they can practice medicine in Taiwan.
“What we are doing is exactly the same as the US government,” Yeh told a public hearing at the legislature’s Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee yesterday morning.
Yeh said that the DOH would propose an amendment to Article 4 of the Physician’s Act (醫師法) and related regulations to ensure and uphold the quality of medical services in the country.
PHOTO: CNA
“The department is responsible for every Taiwanese national’s health. It is not that we do not trust doctors who possess diplomas from overseas medical schools. But I will not risk public health on this,” Yeh said.
Yeh’s remarks were echoed by Ho Cho-fei (何卓飛), director-general of the Department of Higher Education, who said the Ministry of Education would endorse the DOH’s policy on this issue.
Chien Yu-chuan (簡佑全), chairman of the Taiwan Medical School Graduates Association, also backed Yeh’s policy proposal.
He said that most Taiwanese doctors have become what they are today through tough challenges and exams. Those who graduate from overseas medical schools should go through the same process to ensure fair competition.
An anonymous dentist and parent, whose son is now studying at an overseas medical school, said the policy discriminates against students such as his son.
“I am not convinced by what the government says,” he said. “I believe there will be more protests against this measure.”
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