ISLAMABAD: Heads of government-run medical colleges and universities discussed with the managing committee of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) on Friday how to end the bad practices which have tainted the medical education and the profession in the country.

A statement issued by the PMDC said retired Maj Gen Dr Azhar Mahmood Kayani, the chairman of its interim management committee, impressed upon the gathered 40 medical academicians the need of united efforts to improve things and “strictly avoid conflicts” among them.

Representatives of the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Ministry of National Health Services also participated in the interactive session.

A similar session with the heads of medical colleges and universities is scheduled for October 6.

The participants were informed that the new management was cooperating with different agencies in investigation of corruption cases in the PMDC.

An official of the PMDC, who was not authorised to speak to the press on record, told Dawn that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) were probing the cases.

“There are many allegations but two major cases related to the alleged corruption in the National Examination Board (NEB) and the registration of medical colleges,” he said.

The NEB was started for the foreign graduates after complaints that they had not attained quality education. But later the former PMDC management was accused of forcing the foreign graduates to pay bribe to get through the exam, he said.

“Other allegation against the former management was that a number of private colleges were registered though they did not meet the requirements such as basic facilities, hospitals and faculty members etc,” he said.

According to an official statement, the chairman of the management committee told the participants that all stakeholders should work for improving the standards of medical education in the country.

Dr Kayani claimed that efforts were being made to bring the quality of medical education in the country at par with the international standards.

He also claimed that the committee would hold the elections of the council within the given 120 days besides streamlining the working of the PMDC.

“The PMDC is a prestigious organisation and we will restore its image. We have taken steps to make the council functional and the registration system has been made easier and doctor-friendly,” he said.

However, Dr Kayani informed the colleges that over-admission in medical and dental colleges would not be allowed.

“A medical/dental college will be derecognised if it fails to meet the minimum training requirements. These standards will be made equal to the developed countries such as the UK and USA,” he said.

Moreover, the participants were informed that efforts would be made to amend the PMDC rules and regulations so that the medical and dental education system is standardised and the PMDC affairs streamlined.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd , 2015

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