KARACHI, Feb 20: The Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC) is currently experiencing a shortage of teachers, despite the fact that around 800 graduates have successfully completed their MBBS and BDS programmes during the last decade.

This was stated by KMDC Principal Prof Dr S.M. Abbas at a press conference here on Monday. He appealed for urgent lifting of ban imposed on fresh recruitments in the government institutions, thus enabling the KMDC to maintain its reputation of imparting quality medical and dental education.

He said that the KMDC, established in 1991, was first of its kind in the city where merit was adopted as the sole criterion for admissions and where entry tests were introduced.

“We are strongly committed to maintain the standard of education and training against all odds,” Prof Abbas stressed urging the authorities concerned to allow the college to hire services of medical and dental teachers at least on a contractual basis.

He said that due to the paucity of funds the KMDC had not been able to develop a library of its own nor transport facilities could be provided to the students.

Mentioning that 50 students are inducted at the KMDC each year, he said the institution was still devoid of power supply from 9am till 12 noon every day.

A request has been forwarded to the authorities concerned for the procurement of 800KV generator for the college along with funds for necessary repair and revamp of the KMDC, the principal said.

As for training and teaching facilities at the college, he said that the KMDC was affiliated with the University of Karachi and recognized by both the PMDC and the College of Surgeons and Physicians.

“We are presently focussing on activating all clinics and dispensaries of the city government - extending their timings till evening ultimately enabling students to get well-versed in community-based health issues and relevant interventions,” he said responding to a query.

Measures are also under way to further streamline house job opportunities for the KMDC students at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Prof Abbas said.

—APP