Doctors asked to mention registration numbers on cards

HCC Chairperson says idea has been publicised, urges public to cooperate.

PESHAWAR: The health department has planned to make it mandatory for doctors to mention their Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) registration numbers on their boards as well as on their pads. The decision was taken in a bid to curb forgery and identify quacks.

Health officials told The Express Tribune the department wanted to keep a check since the department had received complaints about quacks, specifically on the outskirts of the city.

An official, requesting anonymity, said the health department has devised a strategy whereby doctors will be bound to mention their PMDC registration numbers on their boards outside the private clinics as well as on their pads where they prescribe medicines for patients.



“However, this needs to be discussed with the Health Care Commission (HCC) since this fell under HCC’s domain and the department can only offer a suggestion,” the official added.

He also said the idea was discussed in a meeting with Secretary for Health Abid Majeed in the chair. Other health department officials and drug inspectors were also present on the occasion.

Go ahead

When contacted, HCC Chairperson Dr Zafar said the commission has already publicised the suggestion.

He added doctors will not only have to mention the registration numbers on their boards and on pads but also on receipts for appointments. Zafar said this was done for public interest.

“This is like a tracking system – if a doctor does something wrong, he will be easily identified and brought to justice since their PMDC registration numbers will be mentioned,” Zafar told The Express Tribune.

He said the initiative will help curb quackery and also requested the public to demand PMDC registration numbers on prescriptions and receipts for appointments.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2016.