FROM next year, more than 7,000 medical assistants (MAs) can advance their career in the hospital administration up to the director post The new career path is part of the Health Ministry's effort to acknowledge the role of the MAs. The ministry has last month announced similar opportunity for nurses who can move up to the U54 grade, which enables them to become a hospital director.

Health Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said under the new scheme, MAs who obtained a related degree could remain in their line and move up to the U54 grade depending on their experience and qualification.