RAWALPINDI, June 26: Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Sunday appealed to every doctor to fight for an independent, autonomous and honest Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) for the survival of the profession.

Talking to this reporter, Dr Shershah Syed, secretary-general PMA Centre, demanded an inquiry into the affairs of the council prior to the present secretary Dr Sohail Karim Hashmi, who is currently on forced leave. “Everyone involved in wheeling and dealing should be punished according to rules, regulations and the law.”

Dr Syed said the issue of provisional recognition of private medical institutions could not be resolved unless the PMDC was allowed to work as an independent, autonomous and powerful body able to resist pressures from vested interest groups.

He, however, reiterated the PMA’s promise of support for government’s any move for independence of PMDC and betterment of medical profession in both public and private sector.

Reacting to a government proposal for starting standard testing and equalisation examination for fresh graduates, he said it would help standardise the competency of fresh graduates. However, he warned, that this should not be (mis)used as an alternative for standard medical education institutions. There should be no compromise on the minimum standards laid down by the PMDC for recognition of educational institutions, he added.

The PMA secretary-general said the concept of an appellate board being proposed by the health ministry prima facie appeared to be a good one but the board should not be constituted within health ministry rather it should consist of academicians with good record and representation from parliament, judiciary and journalists.

He said the council should be strict with recognition of medical institutions and should be empowered to close down any substandard medical college.

Calling for reorganisation of PMDC Council, Dr Syed said the size of the council should be reduced to 33 and 50 per cent members should be elected by ballot from all provinces.

Representation, he suggested, should also be given to medical colleges, both public and private, surgeon general of army, director-general health, provincial health secretaries, parliamentarians, judges, journalists, College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan and PMA.