Singapore: In a historic step, a tender has been put up by the Singapore Public Healthcare Holding Company last month, seeking to appoint a recruitment agency to recruit doctors from India.
The Ministry of Health Holdings (MOHH) Singapore has clarified that it plans to hire 180 doctors from India during the next 3 years.
There’s a campaign to attract foreign doctors to plug workforce gaps, but some worry about ‘fictitious’ qualifications and that locals will lose out. While doctors admit that foreign staff is often needed to do tougher roles with required efficiency, some warn of a potential race to the bottom for wages and a build-up of resentment towards immigrants.
MOHH has also categorically declared that it would take in candidates who have graduated from schools of repute and are approved by respective Medical Boards or Councils and allow only those who qualify under the Medical Registration Act.
The selected doctors would be granted conditional registration for clinical practices and must undergo strict monitoring for providing quality support to the medical system of the country.
However, the firm stated that locals would be given preferential treatment, who graduated from Medical Schools recognized by Singapore Medical Council.
Post Covid19 Vaccine has the Indian Medical Fraternity gained in terms of credibility?
Indian Medical Practitioners have an extensive history of serving in the US, UK and various other developed nations. Physicians are one of India’s most prized exports, especially in the US where they make up 20% of all foreign-trained doctors. Together, Indians and Indian-American doctors are the most represented and respected non-white group in the medical profession. Indian doctors are always welcomed in western countries, especially in the USA for their efficiency and utmost commitment. Moreover, the need and demand for Indian doctors have increased manifold in the USA because of the heavy shortage of doctors in their country.
Besides, Covid19 vaccine has enhanced the reliability of the Indian Medical Fraternity enormously. India is now acclaimed as the Pharmacy capital of the world. Indian Medical Professionals are the most sought-after medical practitioners in the globe now. The various initiatives, including the inventions of the TWO game-changer vaccines, have created a highly encouraging impact across all developed and developing nations. Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) on Tourist (Medical) Visa are at an all-time high. And so the Singapore Government’s approach to getting Indian Medical Practitioners should not come as surprise, instead, we may see many more such fruitful exchanges shortly.
Will the Singaporeans really lose jobs to Indian expats – lead to local unrest?
The recent recruitment exercise for foreign doctors has drawn anger from a few residents, highlighting local-foreigner tensions and concerns about fake certification, although medics say that recruitment from overseas is a bitter pill that Singaporeans have to swallow.
Singapore’s hunt comes in the wake of many working in the health sector becoming fatigued by the long working hours and manpower shortage during the pandemic, resulting in many leaving the medical profession entirely.
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In addition, a substantial number of doctors leave the public healthcare system over a while for more lucrative private practices.
On the other hand, immigration issues can whisk up strong emotions and the government will have the difficult task of dispelling serious apprehensions of job insecurity, especially amid an ominous economic climate.
The government must ensure that it can come up with a system “judicious enough” to recruit the right foreign workers who can also enhance job creation and promote the well-being of citizens, as well.
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