The University of the West Indies (Mona) has asserted that it will not decrease its intake of medical students, and plans to continue accepting those who qualify, despite growing concerns about available spaces for internship.
Professor Horace Fletcher, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, at the UWI, explained on RJR's Beyond the Headlines, on Monday, that plans are in place for the accreditation of additional hospitals, so that more internship places are made available.
The issue was highlighted in an Observer newspaper story on the weekend, which stated that some medical students may not be able to complete their internship, due to space shortage. This has generated discussions concerning whether the country is training too many doctors.
According to Professor Fletcher, the answer to the dilemma lies, not in reducing the training intake, but in creating more space for internships.
Professor Fletcher conceded, however, that the internship system needs some refinement. He said the medical faculty is gathering feedback, which it plans to use.
Dr. Alfred Dawes, a senior medical practitioner, has cautioned, however, that the increased number of medical students may lead to other problems in the sector.
He said that, among other things, there is a risk of limited interactions between patients and doctors.
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