At the start of 2024, I had high hopes for the year. I was looking forward so much to pursuing Medical Education after finally completing my House Officer training which took 2 years and 4 months.
Unfortunately, I soon found out the harsh reality that I have to work as a Medical Officer (MO) to fulfill my compulsory service with the Ministry of Health (MOH) before I can leave to pursue Medical Education. Most medical schools in Malaysia also require their lecturers to have a postgraduate qualification such as MRCP, which I didn't have.
From January to May 2024, I had to work at the Medical (Internal Medicine) department of Kluang hospital. Although I have a strong theoretical interest in Internal Medicine, the very heavy workload at the Medical department made me really stressed. The worst part was the grueling 33-hour on-call shifts, which I hated so much. I didn't even have time to study for the MRCP(UK) Part 1.
I then got transferred to Sarawak on 27 May 2024. From June to October 2024, I worked at Klinik Kesihatan Sundar (KK Sundar). Although the work at KK Sundar is quite relaxing with a lot of free time every day, Sundar is a very secluded village, with the nearest Lawas town 30km away. The infrastructure in Sundar is so poor, with horrible living quarters and routine electricity and mobile network outages.
Since the very beginning, I didn't like Sundar. The extreme isolation made life quite challenging for me. Consequently, I was often stressed and unhappy. I kept complaining about everything. I looked forward so much to leaving after completing my compulsory service. The only silver lining was that the relaxing work at KK Sundar gave me plenty of time to study for the MRCP(UK) Part 1. I registered for the MRCP(UK) Part 1 exam on 8 June 2024.
On 19 July 2024, a vacancy for a Fixed-term Clinical Lecturer post was open. This post doesn't require any postgraduate qualifications, not even MRCP Part 1. I quickly submitted my application for the Clinical Lecturer post on 20 July 2024. I was confident that I would be the favourite candidate for the post, considering my experience and enthusiasm in teaching.
Even though MRCP Part 1 wasn't a requirement for the post, I still continued studying for it wholeheartedly. On 14 August 2024, I took the MRCP(UK) Part 1 exam. Coincidentally, that day was also the application deadline for the Fixed-term Clinical Lecturer post. I was confident that I would get a positive outcome within a few days. But 2 weeks later, I still didn't hear anything.
On 6 September 2024, I completed 1 year of compulsory service with the MOH, which supposedly would make me eligible to apply for exemption from further compulsory service. However, a few of my friends told me a bad news that effective 14 August 2024, the MOH no longer allows shortening of the compulsory service to 1 year; every one must complete 2 years of compulsory service, with the sole exception of those who got a lecturer post at a public university. That meant I couldn't join the Fixed-term Clinical Lecturer post even if I got it, since the post is at a private university.
I did a quick search and found a vacancy for a DU51P Trainee Medical Lecturer post at a public university, with its application deadline on 8 September 2024. I quickly submitted the application on 6 September 2024 itself. On 9 September 2024, I received confirmation that I wasn't selected for the Fixed-term Clinical Lecturer post; no reason was given for that.
On 13 September 2024, my MRCP(UK) Part 1 results was released and I passed it. I promptly updated it to the public university. On 17 September 2024, I was shortlisted for an interview for the DU51P Trainee Medical Lecturer post. The interview was held on 19 September 2024. It was particularly important, being my last chance to leave Sundar and pursue my Medical Education dream.
Unfortunately, despite all my efforts, I was informed on 24 September 2024 that I was unsuccessful in the interview. That didn't just mean I failed to secure the DU51P Trainee Medical Lecturer post, it also meant I would have to continue working at KK Sundar for another year till 6 September 2025, due to MOH's latest rules on the compulsory service.
I was deeply frustrated, affecting my emotional wellbeing and my enthusiasm for the job. It's clearly not productive for me to keep working in KK Sundar. My colleagues then suggested for me to be transferred to somewhere more urban.
At that time, Klinik Kesihatan Ibu dan Anak Limbang (KKIA Limbang) was looking for a new MO to take charge of the tuberculosis clinic. Since I had passed the MRCP(UK) Part 1 exam which demonstrated my good knowledge in Internal Medicine, I became a good candidate for it. On 7 October 2024, I was offered to transfer to KKIA Limbang, which I gladly accepted.
I started working at KKIA Limbang on 28 October 2024. Limbang is a nice town similar to Kluang. KKIA Limbang has a supportive work environment, with manageable workload and no on-calls. It's very much like what I envisioned about working as a doctor, back when I first decided to do Medicine. I am finally enjoying both my work and personal life now.
As 2024 ends, I am still unable to achieve my Medical Education dream. But what I have got now, feels like an acceptable start, and I am grateful about it.
