ISLAMABAD: Pakistan finally seems getting the registration of World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) as all the requirements have been met.

“Just after taking the charge as special assistant to the prime minister (SAPM) for health on November 26, my major focus was on getting the accreditation of the WFME.

“The WFME physically monitored the inspection of two medical colleges and also checked documentation of two inspections conducted by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC),” SAPM on health Dr Amir Bilal told Dawn.

He said he was part of the PMDC [at that time it was Pakistan Medical Commission] in 2019 and had completed all the documentation for an inspections by WFME.

“The WFME carried out an inspection on same documents which were prepared in 2019. Moreover, we have revised the curriculum of MBBS and also shared it with the Pakistan Association of Private Medical and Dental Institutions (PAMI) and Surgeon General of Pakistan. It is unfortunate that currently in some colleges even after graduation doctors cannot administer an injection. We want to revise the methodology of studies and ensure quality,” he said.

It is worth mentioning that US’ Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), after realising that the quality of foreign graduates was deteriorating due to the mushroom growth of private-for-profit colleges, on Sept 21, 2010, announced that after January 2023, graduates of only those countries having recognition from WFME will be allowed to appear in United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Later, the deadline was extended to January 2024 due to Covid-19.

Dr Bilal said the PMDC will inspect 187 medical and dental colleges and will issue their ranking.

He said the PMDC had issued a notification regarding accreditation standards and guidelines for the medical and dental colleges, claiming that standards and guidelines will be uploaded on the website of the council within two weeks.

According to the notification available with Dawn, the council has finalised accreditation standards for medical colleges, teaching hospitals, dental colleges and dental clinical teaching facilities/hospitals for undergraduate education.

Moreover, the council has prepared guidelines for MBBS, BDS curriculum, competencies of medical graduates and house job competencies. Similarly, PMDC examination regulations and an amendment to admissions regulations have been approved.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2024