Discussion: a Doctor's ten year bond

[davinci518]

I'm just curious about the predicaments faced by some of my JPA sponsored friends who chose to pursue medicine.. what happens during their 10 year bond period at a government hospital? i mean can they be promoted to a specialist in a short term? Can anyone provide some details based on their experiences?

Furthermore is it possible for them to choose which hospital to serve their bond, and can they work in a klinik kesihatan too?

If some of them chose to break the ten year bond, do they pay back the amount spent for their degree in full? what happens if they dont?

Please share your views, since i'm in a dilemma wondering whether i should pursue medicine in the future and sign the JPA contract.

[youngyew]

A post I wrote recently which might be relevant to you:

http://www.recom.org/forum/showthrea...499#post220499

[davinci518]

hmm is it possible for a doctor to work in a klinik kesihatan during his 10 year bond instead of a hospital?

[vseehua]

For the clinical years and first years of compulsory service you will work at the hospital. FOr the rest of the time you can ask for a transfer to a klinik kesihatan. However, it's up to the discretion of the higher-ups whether you will get what you wanted or not...

[Mirianchoo]

I do believe that even before you apply for the JPA scholarship, you must already have in your mind the implications of doing so. The 10 year bond. The uncertainty of the country JPA would send you to. Your real heart and motive for pursuing medicine.

What I would say is that if you want to apply for the JPA scholarship (medicine), do be prepared for difficulty, times of regret and doubt, lots of sacrifice, and a lot of moulding of your character and toughening up. It's not going to be an easy road, and you have to have a real heart for serving your fellow citizens in the government hospital. Enduring suffering, not being respected, long hours, etc. Many of us JPA scholars (me included) have times when we wonder whether we really made the right choice in applying for this scholarship, but we keep pressing on and are grateful that we (unlike many unfortunate JPA scholarship rejects) have been given the chance to serve the government and we are ready for the responsibility to serve our nation for ten years (or more).

All the best to fellow JPA scholars taking medicine! May we endure and serve the nation!

[kaiyi]

If you dont want to serve, then pay back the money. That's it.