November 05, 2007	Monday	Shawwal 23, 1428

LAHORE, Nov 4: Some eight or so private medical and dental institutions in the country are still functioning without being recognised by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).

The council is also not clear what line of action it should adopt against these ‘illegal’ institutions.

The PMDC on Aug 27 had got published a list of recognised medical institutions in the country in the national press. But contrary to the practice of the Higher Education Commission, it did not bother to mention the names of those who had been operating illegally.

To a question, PMDC secretary Nadeem Akbar told Dawn the council could not divulge the names of these illegal institutions at this stage.

He said a case against an unrecognised private medical college had been pending in Supreme Court, which would hopefully determine a line of action in this regard. The council, however, had taken up the issue and media would be informed about it shortly, he added.

On the other hand, PMDC president Prof Sibtul Hasnain said the council’s ordinance of 1962 did not have any provision to penalise illegal institutions. He said the council was also planning to re-inspect the institutions in question to check whether they had made any progress to overcome the shortcomings the council had pointed out in its early inspection.

Dr Azeemuddin Zahid, secretary general of the Pakistan Medical Association, had questioned the council as in what capacity it was `hiding’ the names of illegal campuses.

“By not revealing their names, the PMDC is in fact protecting them. The council also could easily have got published the names of illegal medical institutions but it played a trick that showed its mala fide intention,” Dr Zahid said, and urged the authorities concerned to investigate the matter.

The council’s public notice said: “Medical and dental colleges not included in it are running their MBBS training courses illegally and in violation of its ordinance. Parents and students seeking admission to medical and dental colleges are advised in their own interest to pursue admission only in the recognised institutions”.

“Any graduate of any college who was not registered as a student by PMDC shall not be entitled to any registration with the council as registered medical\dental practitioner.”

Owing to the above condition, the future of a number of students studying in these ‘illegal’ private medical and dental institutions also hangs in the balance.

“These institutions may not get fresh admission, but what will be the future of those already admitted to these illegal institutions and paying heavy fees for last couple of years,” a senior physician asked.

He said it was very serious matter and the authorities concerned must not take it light.

—Zulqernain Tahir