LAHORE, May 8: The Pakistani students doing MBBS in Cuba will also have to pass the exam of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s (PMDC) national examination board to get their degree recognised by the council.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of PMDC, Higher Education Commission (HEC) and federal health ministry officials in Islamabad on Thursday.

PMDC President Prof Sibtul Hasnain, HEC Chairman Dr Attaur Rehman, Health Department Deputy Director General Zafar Lodhi and Cuban Ambassador Guatavo Machin Gomez were present.

The officials discussed the issue of sending 354 Pakistani students to Cuba for MBBS by the HEC on scholarships (provided by the Cuban government).

The controversy ensued between the PMDC and the HEC when the former complained that the latter did not consult it before sending the students to Cuba.

The PMDC had apprehensions that the standard of medical education in Cuba was not up to the mark and any decision to send more students there should be thoroughly reviewed. While the HEC maintains that it took a no-objection certificate from the council and healthcare facilities there were of international standard.

The Cuban government provided 1,000 scholarships to the HEC and the students on remaining (over 600) scholarships await a go-ahead from the commission.

In the meeting the officials agreed that the future of the students must be protected. The meeting discussed suggestions such as getting the Pakistani students admitted to the top medical institutions in Cuba. It was suggested that the students, after completing the (MBBS) course in Cuba, should be admitted in fourth year in local medical institutions.

A source, however, confirmed that the participants agreed that the students in question would take the examination of the national examination board which is mandatory for all students who complete their MBBS or dental degrees from foreign institutions.

The source said that the decision regarding sending another batch of over 600 students to Cuba would be decided in another meeting of the PMDC, the HEC and the federal health ministry.

He said that differences between the PMDC and the HEC over the issue were now resolved. However, he said, the decision in this regard would be made public after the next meeting to be held next week.

The PMDC sent a two-member committee to Cuba to inspect facilities and standards of education and living conditions being provided to the Pakistani students. It would also submit its recommendations to the council in the up coming meeting. The Cuban government has deported a couple of such Pakistani students for raising voice against poor living conditions.