Doctors meet minister over online medical courses fears

Concerns over a Malta-based online medical school were flagged during a recent meeting between Education Minister Evarist Bartolo and the doctors’ lobby, the Times of Malta has learnt. Sources said the Medical Association of Malta requested the meeting to voice concerns this could be serving as a back door for doctors with questionable qualifications to work in EU hospitals. It could also pose a risk to the island’s reputation as a centre of excellence in medical training, the doctors’ representatives told Mr Bartolo. “This is a matter of concern for us because we want to ensure Malta retains its good international standing as a centre of learning,” Martin Balzan, president of the doctors’ union, said. Frank Montgomery, who chairs the Standing Committee of European Doctors, said last week the medical courses via online correspondence had been the topic of discussion at a recent members’ meeting. The German doctors’ lobby has expressed worries about the private medical school its operations. The European Digital University, which runs the online medical school, took umbrage at what Prof. Montgomery said on the matter. In a ‘right of reply’ (see below), it said his comments...