YOUNG doctors are being forced to put up with inefficiency and negligence of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) in issuing essential documents. I had applied for my house job experience certificate on April 13. It has now been over four months, but I have not received it. The PMDC portal says my case is still ‘in progress’.

Despite repeated attempts to contact the PMDC helpline, I have failed to get any meaningful response. Each time, I am told that the certificate would be issued ‘next week’.

On one occasion, I was even asked to resubmit all the documents, which I did promptly, but the matter has remained unresolved.

It is shocking that an organisation as crucial as PMDC, responsible for regulating the medical profession, operates without transparency, accountability and efficiency. A simple certificate should not take months to issue. Such delays cause unnecessary frustration and jeopardise the career prospects of doctors who rely on timely documentation to apply for further training and positions.

The government and all other relevant authorities should investigate the matter seriously, and ensure that the PMDC fulfils its responsibilities in a timely and professional manner.

Doctors, who are already burdened with the challenge of serving their patients, should not be made to struggle for months just to obtain basic official documents.

Dr Veena
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2025