ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Association of Private Medical and Dental Institutions (PAMI) on Wednesday held a press conference during which it alleged that private colleges were suffering due to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s (PMDC) double standards.

PAMI General Secretary Khaqan Waheed Khawaja, speaking to the media at the National Press Club, claimed that private medical and dental colleges were far ahead in terms of the quality of education compared to public sector medical colleges, but the PMDC was grilling private colleges for its “interests”.

He said students from private colleges secure the first five positions across the country, while students from public sector colleges remain far behind.

“Public sector medical colleges do not have the required number of faculty members, but the PMDC only imposes fines on private medical colleges.

“The entry test is another issue, due to which medical colleges have been suffering, as during the recent entry test Rs550 million corruption was revealed as the question paper was leaked before the entry test. There should be minimum 80pc marks for admissions,” he added.

Mr Khawaja said colleges are forced to reduce fees and carry out corporate social responsibility activities.

“The PMDC should increase 50pc seats for all colleges, and we are ready to provide those students free education. Moreover, fixing fees is not the PMDC’s mandate,” he said.

He added that teaching hospitals attached with private colleges were providing patients the best medical facilities, but the council was in denial.

“The council should understand that 100,000 Pakistani medical students have been studying abroad. Because of them, foreign exchange is transferred out of the country. On the other hand, the council has started the National Examination Board for foreign graduates because of the low quality of education abroad. I suggest that those students be allowed to study in Pakistan,” he said.

Mr Khawaja said council members were deliberately trying to malign private colleges and allege that colleges receive donations for admissions, which was wrong.

PMDC Member Dr Amir Bandesha told Dawn it was unfortunate that “some PAMI representatives claim the quality of private colleges is better than public sector colleges”, adding that public sector medical colleges have a long history and “everyone knows about them”.

He said the entry test was started a decade ago, and an inquiry has started to look into recent controversy regarding a leaked question paper in Punjab.

“Unfortunately, private colleges want that there should be no regulatory body that that is not possible in Pakistan or any other country,” Dr Bandesha said.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2017