PMDC reviews 31,478 licence applications
Council to inspect 167 colleges to assess new framework
PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has thus far received 34,702 applications for grant of licences, out of which 31,478 have been disposed of and deadlines have been fixed for remaining applications.
According to an official of the PMDC, the council has also fixed a deadline to entertain all pending cases of provisional licences, permanent licences, renewal of licences, post graduate and additional qualifications and faculty registrations and experience.
He said that the council has issued necessary directions to fast track all pending equivalence cases of post graduate and additional qualifications and up till now 1,401 out of 1,648 cases have been disposed of.
He said that the PMDC has introduced for the first time an annual quality categorisation of all public and private medical colleges in Pakistan. The colleges will be graded into five categories from A+ to D based on performance and facilities and faculty, he added.
Govt fails to form new PMDC governing body
The official said that the purpose of the grading was to assist students in making their choices as well as enabling colleges to improve their quality. As a first step the council has decided to inspect all existing public and private medical and dental colleges in the single largest inspection every undertaken where all 167 colleges will be inspected on the new frameworks.
He said the inspection system has been developed to provide for a transparent and merit based system. He added inspections will be carried out on a periodical basis of the colleges on an annual or two or three year basis.
He said that a new organogram of the organisation has been approved which has setup the necessary departments, with each department being headed by a Head of Department (HoD) and supervising the different sections and management officers in such sections with the implementation of the best governance practices of the industry.
He said that the council has formulated a policy to impose a revalidation requirement upon doctors in line with best international practices rather than merely renewing their licence after a specific period.
The official said this step will help doctors to have update on modern developments and techniques to ensure best quality treatment to patients.
PMA rejects PMDC Ordinance, 2019
He said the council has initiated major IT reforms and currently there is a definitive lack of digital enablement at the PMDC. He added that steps have been taken on an urgent basis to further improve efficiency by implementing a policy of immediate automation and digitisation of all resources.
Moreover, he added that the digital portal is being designed to enable the public to verify doctors' credentials including specialisation through a mobile application. The digital portal will also enable the public to submit their complaints online as well as well review any disciplinary action taken against any doctor.
He said the council has decided to install proprietary software to enable digitalisation and electronic access of the registration processes undertaken by the PMDC. These systems will allow students and doctors to apply and renew their licences and obtain other certifications through an online system, he added.
The council has taken a proactive policy to address pending litigation consisting of hundreds of cases in courts across the country in order to resolve those disputes which could be resolved by the council, the official said.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2019.
Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has thus far received 34,702 applications for grant of licences, out of which 31,478 have been disposed of and deadlines have been fixed for remaining applications.
According to an official of the PMDC, the council has also fixed a deadline to entertain all pending cases of provisional licences, permanent licences, renewal of licences, post graduate and additional qualifications and faculty registrations and experience.
He said that the council has issued necessary directions to fast track all pending equivalence cases of post graduate and additional qualifications and up till now 1,401 out of 1,648 cases have been disposed of.
He said that the PMDC has introduced for the first time an annual quality categorisation of all public and private medical colleges in Pakistan. The colleges will be graded into five categories from A+ to D based on performance and facilities and faculty, he added.
Govt fails to form new PMDC governing body
The official said that the purpose of the grading was to assist students in making their choices as well as enabling colleges to improve their quality. As a first step the council has decided to inspect all existing public and private medical and dental colleges in the single largest inspection every undertaken where all 167 colleges will be inspected on the new frameworks.
He said the inspection system has been developed to provide for a transparent and merit based system. He added inspections will be carried out on a periodical basis of the colleges on an annual or two or three year basis.
He said that a new organogram of the organisation has been approved which has setup the necessary departments, with each department being headed by a Head of Department (HoD) and supervising the different sections and management officers in such sections with the implementation of the best governance practices of the industry.
He said that the council has formulated a policy to impose a revalidation requirement upon doctors in line with best international practices rather than merely renewing their licence after a specific period.
The official said this step will help doctors to have update on modern developments and techniques to ensure best quality treatment to patients.
PMA rejects PMDC Ordinance, 2019
He said the council has initiated major IT reforms and currently there is a definitive lack of digital enablement at the PMDC. He added that steps have been taken on an urgent basis to further improve efficiency by implementing a policy of immediate automation and digitisation of all resources.
Moreover, he added that the digital portal is being designed to enable the public to verify doctors' credentials including specialisation through a mobile application. The digital portal will also enable the public to submit their complaints online as well as well review any disciplinary action taken against any doctor.
He said the council has decided to install proprietary software to enable digitalisation and electronic access of the registration processes undertaken by the PMDC. These systems will allow students and doctors to apply and renew their licences and obtain other certifications through an online system, he added.
The council has taken a proactive policy to address pending litigation consisting of hundreds of cases in courts across the country in order to resolve those disputes which could be resolved by the council, the official said.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2019.