Medical education cannot be categorised into first, second class as doctors can't be regarded as first, second class
ISLAMABAD: With reference to a recent news item in the Islamabad section of The Express Tribune, according to which the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to categorise the medial colleges of the country into first and second class, I am obliged to say that this is the most ridiculous decision made by the PMDC. Medical education cannot be categorised into first and second class as doctors cannot be regarded as first and second class. All medical graduates have to be first class and equipped with the best type of knowledge and skills — otherwise, who would be willing to be treated by half-baked second class doctors? All medical colleges must meet the minimum standard of medical equipment and facilities, such as the number of beds, etc. There must not be any laxity in the matter of such standards, including the qualifications of medical faculty of the medical college. Any medical college not meeting the standards must not be given a licence to operate by the PMDC.
Unfortunately, the affairs of the PMDC have been deteriorating for the past several years. Medical colleges have mushroomed and there have been reports that they have been granted licences after giving huge bribes to relevant people. Our system of medical education has thus become a laughing stock at the international level. This is a very dangerous situation and must be stopped. There should not be any categorisation of medical education and all medical graduates must meet the same standard of knowledge and efficiency. My request to the Ministry of Health is that such a move to have second class medical colleges must be stopped.
Dr Nisar A Kayani
Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2015.
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