ISLAMABAD, May 31: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Tuesday expressed its concern over proposals regarding government’s control on appointment of the president and registrar of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). The government also wants director-general health as a permanent member of the executive committee of the council, said PMA Secretary-General Dr Shershah Syed in a statement.

The PMA believes that the PMDC should be an independent organization, enjoying complete freedom from government pressure, the secretary-general said.

It has been more than four months since the PMA submitted a proposal to the health ministry regarding reforms in the PMDC structure like reducing the number of council members while giving maximum representation to doctors, private and public sector medical colleges, College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, PMA, and provincial and federal health ministries.

The council should also have the autonomy in appointing its secretary and selecting president from among its members. The council must also be empowered to deal with issues relating to medical education, training and practice, Dr Syed said.

The PMA, he said, had already sent letters to President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, urging them to intervene and settle the row between the health ministry and the council by ensuring complete independence to the PMDC.

A letter was also sent to the Senate chairman, urging him to call a public hearing on PMDC working before the Senate Standing Committee on Health recommended new rules and regulation for the council.