ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) on Tuesday announced that students intending to pursue medical or dental education abroad must qualify for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) and obtain registration before going abroad.

According to a statement, the PMDC informed that a high-level committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is currently overseeing the strengthening of the regulatory framework for medical and dental education in Pakistan.

It said that a meeting of the PMDC’s Sub-Committee on Accreditation of Medical and Dental Colleges and Postgraduate Qualifications was held today to “review ongoing reforms and regulatory measures to strengthen medical and dental education in Pakistan”.

“The sub-committee is focused on enhancing transparency, standardising accreditation mechanisms for medical and dental colleges, and streamlining the recognition process inspections for undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in line with international standards,” it added.

During the meeting, PMDC said that detailed discussions were held regarding the inspection processes of medical and dental colleges’ undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

The sub-committee appreciated the ongoing efforts to ensure smooth, transparent and merit-based inspections of institutions, it said, adding that committee members were briefed on the latest reforms, updated procedures and mechanisms introduced to improve the quality and credibility of inspections conducted so far.

“The sub-committee emphasised that there should be no compromise on inspection standards and procedures, restating a policy of zero tolerance toward any negligence, irregularity, or lack of compliance in the accreditation process.

“The meeting participants stressed the importance of maintaining the highest standards of medical and dental education to safeguard the future of healthcare in Pakistan,” it stated.

The meeting also discussed matters related to foreign graduates, it informed.

“The sub-committee clearly resolved that all students intending to pursue medical or dental education abroad must mandatorily qualify for the MDCAT examination and obtain registration with the PMDC before going abroad to pursue medical or dental education to avoid any future inconvenience regarding recognition, licensing, or registration,” the PMDC said.

“The sub- committee highlighted that students must verify that the foreign medical institution they intend to join is included in the list of foreign recognised institutions available with PMDC before proceeding with admission,” it maintained.

Furthermore, the PMDC stressed that the institution should be accredited by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) or listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.

“The medical qualification must comprise at least 6,200 hours of education with a minimum of 80 per cent attendance over a period of five years.”

The sub-committee also advised that in countries where the medium of instruction is not English, students must spend at least five months learning the local language before beginning their medical studies to ensure effective communication and academic understanding, the PMDC said.

In addition, it said that students will also be required to pass the National Registration Examination conducted by PMDC in order to obtain registration in Pakistan after completion of their foreign qualification.

“The sub-committee directed the students to provide complete details of their residence and contact numbers in the country of study before departure,” it said, adding that the students were also advised to secure a multiple-entry visa valid for the duration of their studies prior to proceeding abroad.

The sub-committee reiterated that these measures had been introduced to safeguard the academic and professional future of Pakistani medical students and to ensure that graduates meet the required national and international standards for medical practice, it concluded.