ISLAMABAD: The issue over the registration of 11 medical colleges between the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) seems to be resolved as an evaluation committee has been constituted to look into the matter.

The four-member committee will not only check facilities in the 11 colleges but will also prepare terms of references (ToRs) for the registration of new medical colleges. Moreover, the council has decided to seek help from the chief justice of Pakistan on pending litigation and stay orders obtained by medical colleges across the country.

During the current year, the PMDC registered the 11 medical colleges and forwarded the list to the ministry of NHS for a gazette notification. However, the ministry refused to notify the medical colleges because of complaints that they were registered after allegedly receiving bribes.

Evaluation committee will also prepare terms of reference for new colleges

On the other hand, the colleges obtained stay orders from courts and not only completed their admission processes but also started new classes.

PMDC President Prof Dr Sabbir Lehri told Dawn that the issue had been finally addressed as during the council meeting, which was also attended by minister for NHS Saira Afzal Tarar, it was decided that an evaluation committee would be formed to see if the colleges had been registered on merit or not.

“The committee, comprising Dr Sania Nishtar, Prof Dr Abdul Bari, surgeon gen Asif Sukhaira and Prof Dr Aijaz Hassan, will prepare ToRs for the inspection process, evaluate and review all the inspection reports of new medical and dental colleges and will give its recommendation to the ministry,” he said.

In reply to a question, Dr Lehri said the process of registration was not as simple as it looked.

“Each medical college has to get 750 points out of 1,000 for getting registered. The colleges can lack in some sectors and get additional points in other sectors. We are bound to register any college which bags 750 points,” he said.

“As the evaluation committee comprises very credible personalities, I hope that the issue will be addressed for good,” he said.

According to a statement issued by the council, Ms Tarar discussed the matter in reference to the new medical and dental colleges whose list had been sent to the government for registration.

“She said the federal government has no intention to interfere in the statuary powers of the PMDC. She intended to work with the council to ensure good quality education in the country,” the statement added.

“The minister also highlighted the issue of delay in the implementation of the centralised induction of students in medical and dental colleges through the PMDC admission regulations 2016 due to the pending litigation and stay orders passed by various courts.

“She said all efforts shall be made to get the stay orders vacated so that the regulations can be exercised from this year as the dates of induction for new admissions are again approaching,” it stated.

During the meeting, council member Prof Dr Abdul Bari suggested that as the chief justice of Supreme Court had asked various departments to give suggestions, the council should highlight hurdles being faced in implementation of its statutory rules.

The PMDC unanimously decided to seek help from the chief justice regarding the pending litigation and various stay orders obtained by the medical colleges across the country.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2017