ISLAMABAD, Dec 6: Secretary Health Anwar Mehmood on Monday stressed the need for a national dialogue between public and private sectors in the field of medical and dental education.

In a visit to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), the official endorsed the procedure of inspections adopted by the council for monitoring the performance of medical and dental institutions.

President PMDC Dr M. Hayat Zafar briefed the secretary on the role and working of the council. He said the council was an autonomous corporate body established under the PMDC Ordinance 1962 to regulate medical and dental education in the country.

Mr Mehmood was also briefed on the issues of private medical and dental colleges and was told that the council had been publicizing the status of recognized medical and dental colleges for creating awareness among students, parents and the public. Dr Hayat said the council was planning to open its provincial offices to facilitate the process of registration of medical and dental practitioners.