ISLAMABAD: Prof. Ricardo León-Bórquez, President of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), has commended the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) for its endeavors in upholding international standards.
During a meeting with the Caretaker Federal Minister for Health, Dr Nadeem Jan, and PMDC President Prof Dr Rizwan Taj, Prof Ricardo León-Bórquez expressed satisfaction with the PMDC's current system and its contributions to the medical profession.
They discussed various facets of medical education, emphasising the importance of maintaining standards, ensuring adequate faculty, providing high-quality medical teaching facilities, and equipping undergraduate students with necessary resources.
Dr Jan highlighted the timely response of the PMDC to the WFME's recognition requirements, noting that the council had successfully met all necessary criteria. "We remain optimistic for future achievements," he stated.
The minister spoke about PMDC's comprehensive assessment of colleges and institutions, and its focus on evolving trends in medical education, underscoring the importance of imparting quality education to medical students. "With the right strategies and guidance from WFME, we are poised to achieve significant milestones in medical education in Pakistan," he added.
To ensure a conducive working environment for female medical professionals, Dr Jan stressed the need for daycare facilities in all offices, aiming to enhance productivity and overall well-being. He also expressed the council's commitment to improved doctor-patient relationships.
Prof Dr Rizwan Taj highlighted the significance of WFME recognition and its accreditation programme, enabling graduates from PMDC-licenced colleges to train and work globally, including in the USA, without constraints.
Stressing the WFME's global recognition and dedication to enhancing medical education quality worldwide, Prof Taj emphasised the ultimate goal of providing exemplary patient care. "Ensuring our medical professionals receive comprehensive training and necessary skills will enable us to deliver high-quality healthcare services," he asserted.
Recognising the importance of a long-term relationship with global organisations like the WFME, Prof Taj said their guidance and support plays a crucial role in enhancing medical education standards in Pakistan. He underlined the necessity of prioritising comprehensive training and effective utilisation of the abundant human resources in the medical field.
In a significant step towards securing the future of doctors aspiring to pursue careers and training abroad, the PMDC, upon meeting mandatory requirements, will be eligible for WFME recognition of its accreditation programme. To achieve this, the council has established a dedicated WFME accreditation cell comprising experts from across Pakistan, facilitating extensive deliberations and workshops involving 124 participating colleges nationwide.
The panel of experts from various regions of the country has been actively engaged in the WFME accreditation process, ensuring a comprehensive approach to elevate medical education standards in Pakistan.
