Send PMDC packing, Senate panel suggests

Cites closure of colleges lacking facilities, Cuban-trained doctors’ equivalency issue.


Our Correspondent December 09, 2014

ISLAMABAD: Members of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on Tuesday expressed great dissatisfaction with the performance of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and suggested that it be closed down.

Committee chair Senator Kalsoom Parveen said that future of thousands of medical students studying at private medical colleges is at stake due to flawed PMDC policies.

She said parents pay high fees only to see the colleges shut down by the PMDC over minor issues.

“PMDC has completely failed to fulfill its responsibilities for which it was established,” she said.

Parveen said that medical student from earthquake affected areas who have returned from Cuba after attaining medical degrees are facing immense issues in getting jobs due to strict conditions of PMDC.

The official notification of the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University has yet to be released while Federal Dental and Medical College lacks professors and other faculty members required, making medical students to suffer, she said.

The chairperson invited all medical students who are facing difficulties in getting admissions or due to the closure of their medical colleges due to the actions of the current PMDC administration to directly lodge complaints with the committee members and even attend the next meeting to speak their hearts out.

“PMDC should be shut down due to its below par performance,” she said.

While agreeing with the reservations of the chairperson, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sheikh Aftab said that complaints against the PMDC were coming from across the country and it seems that the members of the council consider themselves above everyone else.

He said he will forward the recommendations of the standing committee to the prime minister.

Senator Mushahidullah Khan said that the futures of medical students were hanging in the balance because of a certain group at the PMDC.

Senator Kamil Ali Agha said the incumbent PMDC management has become oppressors and the council should be shut down due to their attitude towards medical students and their parents.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2014.

COMMENTS (5)

M FAIQ ALI | 9 years ago | Reply

I have done my fellowship in neurosurgery(FCPS) in 2013, but me along with hundreds of specialist doctors are still waiting for their registration. The meaningless tussle between PMDC and CPSP is destroying our career. We cannot apply for any post in foreign institutions. I have never seen such situation in any country around the world that country's own council is denying to register the specialists of its own country!!! FCPS is one of the highest qualification exists in Pakistan yet we are facing such distressing situation. I have been rejected from KSA and UAE because of unregistered Fellowship. Examination committee of Diplomat European Board also refused my application and asked me to register my fellowship prior to appear in exams. One of my friend recently fired from his job from England. Is there any authority in Pakistan who can solve this issue. I request the Prime Minister to look into this matter and save our future and dignity of Pakistan. What a loss for specialist doctors, who have highest qualification of country but have been kicked out by PMDC and continuously refusing to register them. Since 2012, PMDC has not register a single specialist!!! Is it justice for peoples who have sacrificed their life just for their studies?

FMG | 9 years ago | Reply

@amrat kumar: As we all know a common man is being stressed by so called khadme ala politics. In my opinion the whole health system of pakistan with in 72 hrs! Don't you believe this? Yes only surely only one way that is obligate all our polititions and their families to be treated in pakistan public hospitals.

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