LAHORE, Aug 24: The MRCP Part-I and -II examination will be held in May next here by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), London, in collaboration with British Council, says a handout issued on Thursday.

The examination is currently held in the UK.

Punjab Health Minister Dr Tahir Ali Javed made an announcement to this effect at a news conference at the Fatima Jinnah Medical College (FJMC) on Thursday.

The minister said by providing this facility time and foreign exchange would be saved and maximum number of doctors could be able to complete their postgraduate specialisation in their country.

He said medical graduates from private medical colleges recognised by the PMDC would also be eligible to take the examination in Lahore.

More examination centers would be set up in the country after the success of the first experience, he added.

Dr Tahir said international members and fellows constituted almost 20 per cent of the membership of RCP. A key aim of the college is to extend its influence internationally by providing educational support, services and products in order to set higher medical standards relevant to the needs of other countries, he continued.

He said the government was concentrating on the issues of public health. “Healthcare system needs to be refurbished and the government is introducing reforms that are practical. The government has provided record budget to health department whereas, unique and latest projects regarding public healthcare system have been launched in the province.”

He said service structure of doctors would also be reorganised.

FJMC/SGRH principal Prof Dr Akbar Chaudhry, who is international adviser to RCP, London; KEMU vice-chancellor and regional adviser to RCP, Edinburgh, Prof Dr Mumtaz Hasan; SIMS principal Prof Dr Faisal Masood; Prof Dr Yaqoob Qazi; associate international director of the Royal College Dr Tanzim Haider Raza and Dr Iftikhar, director of British Council, Lahore, apprised the reporters of MRCP examination in Lahore and other facilities to be provided by the college in the form of postgraduate courses, fellowships and training programmes for the Pakistani postgraduates.