Starting 1 February 2024, Singapore will recognise qualifications from eight additional overseas medical schools, as announced by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Singapore Medical Council (SMC). This move aims to address the increasing demand for healthcare professionals in the nation as the population continues to age.
Newly Recognised Medical Schools
- Details of the eight newly recognised schools include varying specialties and international reputations.
- This expansion raises the total number of recognised overseas medical schools to 120, a significant leap from the previous count of 112.
Growing Demand for Medical Professionals
In their joint statement, MOH and SMC mentioned, “The additions will allow Singapore to better meet the growing demand for doctors.” Alongside this, the local medical school intake is also set to increase from approximately 440 students in 2014 to 555 in 2025.
Registration Process and Review Standards
All graduates from these overseas medical schools will be eligible to apply for registration with the SMC, provided they meet the council’s current requirements. This includes graduates from all nationalities, whether they finish their studies before or after 2026.
SMC emphasises its commitment to maintaining high standards by regularly reviewing the qualifications of registrable medical schools. The council considers:
- International rankings of the schools
- Compatibility of the language of instruction with local practices
- Performance of graduates from these institutions
Additionally, SMC will continue to evaluate foreign-trained medical practitioners through a supervisory framework during their initial years of practice, ensuring that they meet Singapore’s standards of medical care.