DERA ISMAIL KHAN, July 1: Many parents and educational experts of area have expressed concern over the future of Gomal Medical College which was established in Feb 1998 for the benefit of the people of Dera Ismail Khan.

The first batch of the college has reached its fourth year but it still has no building of its own, no proper staff and other facilities.

The college has earned Rs 80 million so far through its self- financing classes but the students are deprived of basic facilities needed for professional colleges.

At its early stage, the college started its classes in Gomal University  building where a large amount was spent on the separation of main library of the university into class-rooms for the college. Again, another amount was spent on renovation of former TB hospital which was converted into college and its hostel.

Later, the college was shifted to Dera Township, close to the under-construction building of Mufti Mehmood Memorial Hospital.

Suggestions  of shifting its classes and  hostels  came under discussion from time to time and the para-medical institute, Ratta Kulachi research institute, education directorate and government elementary college were proposed but rejected for one or the other reason.

Thus, at present the college has no building of its own. According to the officials concerned in health department, no land is available for the construction of its building while thousands of acres of government land exists in Dera Ismail Khan which could be acquired easily.

Teaching staff has not been provided according to the needs of the college and a number of posts  in  bio-chemistry,  physiology,  pathology,  forensic medicines, pharmacology, etc., are laying vacant. These vacancies have not been filled on one or the other pretext. Absence of accommodation facilities and a ban on private practice are the main hurdles in fulfilling the vacant posts.

In addition, the posts for clinical teaching staff have not been advertised so far and are also lying vacant.

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), the regulatory authority of the medical education, has rejected the recognition request of the college. During its previous visit to the college the PMDC team had given a period of six months to meet the needs of the college till July 3, however the situation remains unchanged.