Strict action : Substandard colleges to lose PMDC recognition

Management committee chairman insists on improving quality of education

ISLAMABAD: The management committee of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has announced that it will withdraw recognition of medical and dental colleges found to be providing substandard education.

Management Committee Chairman Major General Azhar Mahmood Kiyani said all stakeholders are required to join hands for improving the quality of medical education across Pakistan.

Speaking at an interactive session organised by PMDC, with more than 80 deans, vice chancellors and principals of private medical and dental institutions in attendance, he vowed to close down any institution found operating in violation of PMDC rules.

Kiyani stressed that the committee will not compromise on quality and strict action will be taken against colleges failing to improve their standards.

He urged all stakeholders of private medical and dental colleges to avoid surrendering to any political pressure and maintain a merit-based system and asked the participants to maintain seats in their respective institutions in accordance with PMDC-defined quotas.

Directing colleges against charging extra fees from students, Kiyani said that each college should also reserve beds in their hospital for patients who cannot afford treatment.

He said that the government will be engaged in ensuring job availability for students as the number of unemployed fresh graduates is on the rise.

“PMDC is the only [medical] regulatory body in the country and no stone will be left unturned to improve its image and standards,” Kiyani said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2015.