WE are MBBS doctors teaching subjects of basic sciences that include forensic medicine, pharmacology, biochemistry, and community medicine in various medical colleges and universities of Karachi.

We got our PhDs in the disciplines of genetics, pharmacology, biochemistry and environmental sciences from the University of Karachi in 2015 and 2016. Our degrees have been endorsed by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

Being a part of the medical faculty we are bound to get our degrees registered with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to pursue our professional career. Unfortunately, the PMDC is not accepting PhDs and MPhils from the University of Karachi owing to some administrative issues.

Therefore, our cases are pending with the PMDC for more than two years. Without PMDC registration we are not eligible for faculty appointments and promotions in any medical college of Pakistan.

The University of Karachi is ranked seventh by the HEC among all Pakistani universities. It has highly qualified faculty and well-equipped laboratories with the state-of-the-art facilities.

Administrative issues, if any, should not hinder research scholars from getting registered by the council. Who can deny the importance of genetics in forensic medicine or environmental science in community medicine?

Likewise, the fields of biochemistry and pharmacology are also very important as there is an acute dearth of MBBS with PhD holders in subjects of basic sciences all over Pakistan.

The chief justice of Pakistan and the head of the PMDC interim committee are urged to look into this matter.

Dr Nuzhat Aisha Akram & others
Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2018