Students must clear MDCAT for study abroad

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistani students intending to pursue medical and dental education abroad will now be required to qualify the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) and obtain registration with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) before leaving the country, as authorities move to tighten oversight of medical education and accreditation standards.

The decision was discussed during a meeting of the Sub-Committee on Accreditation of Medical and Dental Colleges and Postgraduate (PG) Qualifications, which reviewed ongoing reforms and regulatory measures aimed at strengthening medical and dental education in Pakistan.

The committee also reiterated a policy of zero tolerance for negligence, irregularities, or non-compliance in the accreditation and inspection process.

A high-level committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar is currently overseeing efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework governing medical and dental education in the country.

The sub-committee is focused on improving transparency, standardising accreditation mechanisms for medical and dental colleges, and streamlining inspection and recognition procedures for undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in line with international standards.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding the inspection processes for undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental programmes.