Eight medical colleges enrolled more students than they were allowed to by the PMDC. PHOTO: FILE
According to data available with The Express Tribune, the council approved 244 seats for Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, 203 for Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, 57 in Saidu Medical College, Swat, 56 for Gomal Medical College, DI Khan, 51 in Khyber Girls Medical College, Peshawar, 51 in Khyber College of Dentistry Peshawar, 26 in Ayub Dental College Abbottabad and 101 for Bannu Medical College.
However, on the orders of the previous provincial government, the colleges increased the number of seats. The colleges did not seek permission or consult the PMDC for this.
Khyber Medical College then increased the number of seats by 34, Ayub Medical College by 28, Saidu Medical College by 29, Gomal Medical College by 29, Khyber Girls Medical College by 16, Khyber College of Dentistry by 26, Ayub Dental College by 25 and Bannu Medical College by 52.
Since these 239 students graduated in 2013, they have been awaiting their degrees, which the PMDC has refused to give as the students were not registered with them.
A student from Khyber College of Dentistry, requesting anonymity, said after graduation students have enrolled in house jobs without registration, which is also illegal.
He said if the colleges do not solve the issue, their entire university education will go to waste. “It is not only about the 239 doctors, the careers of many future students will be in jeopardy without the PMDC’s registration,” he added.
Another student said the PMDC had clearly notified the colleges about not registering any extra students.
KMU Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Hafizullah told The Express Tribune that it was not the issue of one college, but of the medical and dental colleges across the province. The VC said they met the PMDC nearly six weeks ago to discuss the matter and the council agreed to register the students.
“Due to some internal issues of the medical council, the registration process is taking time but they have assured the matter will be resolved soon,” he said.
He added they are government employees and will follow orders that come their way. “When the previous government ordered to increase the number of seats, all medical and dental colleges complied,” he said, adding it was the responsibility of the government to take all institutions into consultation when taking an initiative so it does not create problems for people in the future.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 31st, 2014.
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