Foreign graduates are facing uncertainty as the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council's (PMDC) new rules have sparked confusion and chaos. The changes impact the recognition of foreign medical universities and the eligibility for provisional licenses, which are crucial for house jobs in Pakistan. Only graduates from PMDC-recognized foreign medical universities are now eligible for provisional registration and house jobs. Those from non-recognized universities must sit for the National Registration Examination (NRE) to obtain a provisional license.
The affected countries include China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. According to the PM&DC, most affected students started their education during the PM&DC Ordinance 1962 and Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) Act 2020. The new council, constituted in April 2023, implemented reforms to promote medical education, citing patient safety and national health system strengthening as goals. However, the policy change has caused significant disruption.
Dr. Rafey Sher, an elected representative of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), highlights the confusion. He explains that students who graduated six months before him were able to obtain provisional licenses, but his university was suddenly removed from the recognized list, leaving him and others in limbo. The PM&DC initially attributed the issue to an IT problem, but later announced a policy change.
The PM&DC's press release addressed the concerns, but the situation remains complex. Dr. Sher claims that only 700 students are unable to procure licenses, while FMGs estimate the figure to be closer to 3,000. The PM&DC's statement, after considering student complaints, decided that only graduates from recognized foreign institutions are eligible for provisional registration before NRE. However, Dr. Sher argues that this decision doesn't reflect the reality on the ground.
The confusion has led to delays and frustration for many graduates, with some universities in Sindh also facing similar issues. The PM&DC's lack of response to media inquiries adds to the uncertainty. This situation highlights the challenges faced by foreign medical graduates in Pakistan and the need for clear communication and timely resolution of policy changes.
