The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has announced plans to examine all medical and dental colleges nationwide, both public and private, in accord with government directions.
Sources report that master trainers have completed their training and will now prepare inspectors for on-site assessments. The inspections will focus on evaluating infrastructure, faculty quality, and overall standards. Colleges that do not meet the required standards will not face fast penalties but will be given a six-month period to make improvements.
The committee is currently evaluating the financial and academic challenges faced by private medical colleges, with reports indicating that some have been charging over Rs 15 million in fees over the past five years.
The admission process will proceed without disruption, allowing substandard colleges time to improve their facilities before any further action is taken, according to sources in the health ministry. In a related development, last month, the PMDC imposed a ban on private medical and dental colleges from collecting fees, following a recommendation from the Senate Health Sub-Committee. A notice was issued to institutions, suspending fee collection until the Medical Education Committee, headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, submits its recommendations
