KARACHI: Pakistan Association of Private Medical & Dental colleges (PAMI) outlines the shortcomings of the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) in its purpose to act as a regulatory body to lay the groundwork for doctors and paramedics in their medical profession.
Pakistan Association of Private Medical & Dental colleges (PAMI) represents private medical and dental colleges in Pakistan. Since more than 60% of medical and dental colleges in Pakistan are private, the governing body is considered the most significant stakeholder.
The services of private medical and dental colleges to establish and enable colleges and hospitals in Pakistan are uncanny. The financial resources invested in the development of these institutions account for a considerable amount of money and are considered a significant factor which should be acknowledged. While the Supreme Court and PMC have taken into account the services of PAMI on several occasions, the government and PMC have also consulted PAMI for significant decisions on multiple occasions.
Recently PAMI released a white paper highlighting the flaws and intricacies of PMC. According to the reports, these issues must be entertained to boost the morale of doctors and paramedics amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the PMC
According to PAMI, since the replacement of PMDC with PMC, there has been a massive gap in the educational front since the nominated members of PMC are not doctors or either belong to medical faculty. The PAMI has shown major reservations since the members of PMC have no professional medical qualifications, making them liable for their posts.
Flawed 2021 admissions regulations by PMC
PAMI Highlights that during the recruitment period of 2020-2021, the PMC members responsible for the admissions and policies had no experience in the medical or dental departments and were relatively incompetent for the job. The unreliable admissions process also made the process controversial when the criteria for admissions into the medical colleges were changed when PMC changed the eligibility to appear in the MDCAT from 60% marks in FSc to 65 % marks.
Furthermore, it was reported that the college admissions are to gauge aptitude, and there has been no requirement to pass that exam, and the numbers are used to make overall merit.
Matter of the NLE
According to PAMI, the whole concept of NLE is doomed. Since it cannot apply to the students who took admissions before the law was installed, meanwhile, this can further invite protests by the student body as the law cannot be applied retrospectively. According to PAMI, the concept of NLE is boosting the academy mafia, which will charge exorbitant fees from students for the NLE exam.
Inspection criteria, performa & matter of characterisation
PAMI reports that the PMC requires preamble talks to establish a uniform minimum standard. However, if they don’t, they will be derecognised under the law, and there is nothing in the law that talks of categorisation and grading of medical and dental colleges.
CPSP Matter
College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) is the premier postgraduate institution in Pakistan, and its graduates are the best professionals who enjoy worldwide respect. PMC is trying to derecognise their training programs which PAMI will strongly resist at every level.
PAMI is deeply disturbed by the irresponsible behaviour of the PMC and demands that the PMC subjects itself immediately to WFME (World Federation for Medical Education) inspection so that the Pakistani doctors do not lose their jobs and careers as thousands of Pakistani doctors are secured.
