Prof Tefuarani urge parents to check overseas medical school standards before sending kids over for studies

Executive Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Papua New Guinea, Professor Nakapi Tefuarani, says many medical graduates from China must complete additional training in Papua New Guinea before they can practise medicine.

Professor Tefuarani said most medical universities in China do not provide the level of clinical training needed for students to gain hands-on experience with patients.

As a result, many graduates who return to PNG must complete two more years of study at UPNG's School of Medicine before they are qualified to work with patients.

"After graduating with MBBS degree in China, they join our 4th year here and do Diploma in Clinical Practice to fulfill that requirment of clinical practice because they don't do that in China.

"After 4th year they go to 5th year. If they pass they get certificate of Clinical Practice. Together with their MBBS in China, now they are qualified to practice here in PNG."

Professor Tefuarani said UPNG maintains high standards because its Medicine and Surgery program is accredited by the World Federation for Medical Education.

He said some students who study overseas may not have met the entry requirements for medical school in Papua New Guinea.

"We believe some of those students who went to China are those who didn't make the grades to come to the medical school."

Professor Tefuarani urged parents to carefully assess overseas medical schools before sending their children abroad.

"School in China they want to send. They have to send them to school they do full training including clinical practice-hands on training, not the ones that students won't touch the patients because they are just observers. Those schools you shouldn't send your child."

He also warned parents against sending students to study medicine in Cuba, saying the country's medical programs are not recognised by the PNG Medical Board.