The School of Medicine at Maldives National University (MNU) has announced plans to introduce medical specialisation programmes in five fields within the Maldives.
Dean of the School of Medicine, Dr Sheeza Ali, said the main challenge in launching these programmes is the limited student capacity.
Speaking to PSM News, Dr Sheeza said efforts are ongoing to maintain and strengthen the quality of medical education at MNU. She noted that the university has adopted the curriculum of the National University of Malaysia, which is currently being used for teaching in the Maldives.
She added that academic standards are closely monitored, with teaching reviewed every two years and external examiners brought in from abroad to assess final examinations.
The proposed specialisation programmes form part of broader efforts to expand the range of courses offered by the university.
“We are happy to announce that Maldivian doctors are capable of specialising in the fields we will be establishing. The Maldives has doctors. When all the necessary requirements are fulfilled. The limitations are capacity problems, and they are documents to be submitted to the medical council and the Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA). Once these are completed, there are four or five fields we can successfully commence in the Maldives.” Dr Sheeza stated.
She added that once these requirements are met, four to five specialisation fields can be successfully introduced in the Maldives.
The fourth batch of students from MNU’s School of Medicine is currently graduating. To date, 105 students have completed the programme, with the first batch having already finished their internships and entered the workforce.
MNU began medical training in 2019, following the establishment of the School of Medicine a year earlier. The MBBS programme spans five years and is based on the curriculum of the National University of Malaysia.