I have been longing to pursue my dream specialty.
The most important requirement to join the specialty is to have Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) Full Registration and Annual Practising Certificate (APC). The Person's Specification for the specialty recruitment also mentions about postgraduate qualifications (such as MRCP), but it's unclear whether that's an essential criterion or merely a desirable criterion.
After I successfully completed my 5th posting of House Officer training on 6 September 2022, I began applying for MMC Full Registration. After a long wait, I was granted MMC Full Registration on 7 November 2023. I then applied for my APC immediately.
I was granted my APC for 2024 on 22 November 2023. I then began writing my curriculum vitae (CV) to apply for my dream specialty. However, on the following week, I fell sick after getting infected with Covid-19 for the first time. Therefore, I delayed my application.
On 30 November 2023, I sent an email to enquire if I am eligible to apply for the specialty without a postgraduate qualification. On 4 December 2023, I received a reply which stated that they had informed the department in charge of the recruitment for further action and consideration. I formally submitted my application on 5 December 2023.
On 13 December 2023, I received an email saying that the shortlisting process would last until late January 2024 and I would only be informed of the outcome by then. On 14 December 2023, I was informed by sources close to the specialty that I almost certainly would get a place due to lack of manpower in the specialty.
On 6 January 2024, I successfully completed my House Officer training and began working as a Medical Officer. On 9 January 2024, I sent an email to enquire about the status of my application, but I never got any reply. I gave them a call on 12 January 2024, but I was told that the person in charge of the recruitment was on leave.
On 17 January 2024, I phoned the person in charge of the recruitment once again. Much to my disappointment, he told me that my application for the specialty was unsuccessful, as it requires a postgraduate qualification which I don't have.
Now, I have no choice but to continue working as a Medical Officer till I complete my compulsory service with the Ministry of Health. I will try my best to get MRCP(UK) Part 1 and Part 2 done in the near future. After that, I will apply for my dream specialty again.
