Internship system for medical students needs reform, says MAJ president

President of the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ), Dr Shane Alexis says the current internship system for medical students is in need of reform.

The matter has been thrust into the limelight following a report in the media which noted that though 200 young doctors graduated from the University of the West Indies this year, there is only room for about a hundred in the internship programme.

Alexis says discussions are being held to chart a way forward on the matter. 

Meanwhile, Alexis also says that the University of the West Indies has a responsibility to sustain itself.

He was responding to concerns about the responsibility that the University has in ensuring that its students are able to complete their programmes.

In response to suggestions that the doctors be placed in private hospitals, Alexis said it was important that internships are completed in public hospitals where observation and supervision can be done most effectively.