ISLAMABAD: While every year around 30,000 students try to get admission in foreign medical and dental institutions, Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) has warned youngsters of informal agents.

The suggestion has been given considering the results of the National Licensing Examination (NLE) for foreign graduates in which over 80pc candidates failed.

All those foreign graduates who complete their respective degrees with house jobs or practical clinical experience, pass the NLE exams quite easily.

According to PMC, on average around 30,000 students annually remain willing to seek their education in foreign medical and dental colleges. They have been requested to ensure their admissions in PMC verified foreign institutes and countries and try not to be dodged by informal agents.

PMC warns youngsters not to be dodged by informal agents

“In last two NLE exams for foreign graduates, nearly 2,344 students appeared, and out of those only 424 students could pass the NLE exam. The low passing percentage is merely due to the wrong selection of medical and dental colleges by the students chasing cheap foreign education, getting influenced by informal agents who directly are responsible for putting their educational carrier at stake for the sake of money, and going to non-verified, substandard educational institutes,” PMC spokesperson said in a statement.

“Based on the NLE results, PMC investigated and learned that there are a number of foreign medical and dental colleges that offer courses and programmes with bare to minimum necessary arrangements. Due to limited resources, hospitals, language barriers, and limited patients and beds, students are mostly given their degree without a house job or without giving any practical clinical experience which is one of the main reasons for the low passing percentage of foreign graduates in the NLE exams,” he said.

“All those foreign graduates who complete their respective degrees with house jobs or practical clinical experience, pass the NLE exams quite easily,” he said.

He said that PMC was an independent regulatory body working in a transparent manner to improve the healthcare delivery and service standards in Pakistan. For complaints and suggestions, stakeholders can always dial on PMC helpline at 0331-1006191.

“PMC being a healthcare regulator is setting benchmarks in line with best global practices to ensure quality healthcare for every citizen of the nation. PMC is determined to facilitate all stakeholders in the larger interest of the nation. In order to issue licences to interested foreign graduates, PMC conducted NLE twice so far. The objective to conduct NLE for foreign graduates too is determined and to examine their academic and practical capability prior to issuing them with the license. PMC is not only working to improve the quality of healthcare standards but also working on the rights of the patients. A competent doctor can treat a patient well,” spokesperson said.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2022