MRCP exam centre--some questions

By Hossain Masud Mirpur, Dhaka
17 October 2005, 18:00 PM
The roundtable discussion, entitled “Introducing higher medical degrees (MRCP/MRCS/MRCOG & MFDS) and Professional Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) examination center under the Royal College of the UK” was a thought provoking one, but I have some doubts about the idea.

Firstly, the FCPS degree offered by the BCPS has tremendous reputation. Most of our medical college teachers have obtained this degree. They are skilled professionals. They are serving the patients well. There should not be any doubt about the competence of the FCPS degree holders. So why do we need MRCP exam centre when we have BCPS at home?

Secondly, there is an acute shortage of doctors in our country. They have a bright future at home. Moreover, they do not have any unemployment problem. So why do they think of leaving Bangladesh?

Thirdly, the number of doctors having postgraduate qualification is very small. They can earn crores of taka every year through private practice, commissions from diagnostic centres, pharmaceutical companies etc. Why do they need to compete in global job market when they enjoy such a position here?

I am not sure about the logic behind the idea of establishing an MRCP exam centre in Bangladesh. I hope that the organisers and the doctors will answer my questions through this newspaper, with relevant facts and figures in order to justify their demand.

Then all the confusion regarding this idea will be removed.