Tongan medical students yet to be certified as doctors after graduation in China

Tongan students who have graduated as medical doctors from China are yet to be certified to practice in the country.

Director of Health, Dr. Siale 'Akau'ola  told Radio and TV Tonga News the students need to fulfil several conditions after graduation before they are allowed to practice as doctors.

He said most students have applied for jobs at the Ministry of Health after graduating from Chinese universities but they have been offered jobs as health inspectors associate.

The Chinese Embassy in Tonga says one of the problems identified is that students are not given time for practical work.

The Chinese Embassy and the Tongan Government are considering ways to address the issue. One of the options is to reduce the number of medical doctorate students going to China for studies.

Another alternative is to negotiate with Guangdong to allow Tongan students to do their practical work there.

Five staff of Vaiola hospital studied in China and are yet to become Registered Doctors.

Medical Doctorate Courses in China takes six years and the first year of study is set aside for Chinese Language Studies only.

About 20 students are undertaking Doctoral courses in China…

   
Source:
PACNEWS