More than 90% of doctors under MOHH are local, says holding company of public healthcare clusters

MOHH said it recruits about 700 junior doctors each year, adding that it has increased its “local pipeline” over the years.

Between 2012 and 2019, Singapore’s medical schools increased their combined intakes by 45 per cent from 350 in 2012 to about 510 in 2019, said the company’s spokesperson.

The schools admitted another 40 medical students each year in 2020 and 2021 to cater to students whose overseas medical studies were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We size the intake of our local universities, based on the need of the healthcare sector, and also the admission standards of the Universities,” said MOHH.

“Naturally, this means that places in medical schools are highly sought after, admission is very competitive, but on the other hand, graduates from our medical school are very highly regarded.”

The company spokesperson added that doctors who are recruited from overseas must have graduated from medical schools which are on the Second Schedule of the Medical Registration Act.

“These doctors will only be granted conditional registration for clinical practice and under strict supervision,” the company’s spokesperson said.

“They may eventually convert to full registration if they remain in good standing and have favourable supervisory reports attesting to their professionalism and competency.”

“Regardless of nationality, we value the contributions of each and every single doctor to Singapore and our healthcare system,” the spokesperson added.