Council Implements Multi-Year Moratorium
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has enacted a significant policy change, implementing a ban on the establishment of new medical and dental colleges, as reported by The News. The decision, which also extends to increasing seats in existing institutions, comes as a direct response to a critical shortage of qualified teaching staff across the country’s medical education system.
Current Faculty Deficit
According to data presented in the recent PMDC Council meeting, the current medical education system faces a substantial staffing shortfall. The council’s assessment reveals that while 187 medical and dental colleges require 26,018 faculty members, only 22,146 positions are currently filled. This deficit of nearly 4,000 teaching staff has raised serious concerns about the quality of medical education.
The faculty shortage has created ripple effects throughout Pakistan’s medical education system. The News reports that this deficiency has led to “deterioration of educational competence, clinical training, research, and academic excellence,” with consequences extending beyond the classroom to affect patient care and public health services.
Strategic Response
To address these challenges, the PMDC Council has approved a moratorium spanning three to five years. During this period, the council will not only halt the establishment of new medical and dental colleges but will also freeze any increases in student seats at existing institutions. This measure aims to prevent further strain on the already limited faculty resources.
The PMDC has taken additional steps to strengthen its oversight capabilities, seeking support from higher authorities. The council has formally approached the National Health Services, requesting intervention to protect the integrity of Pakistan’s medical education system. This move demonstrates the council’s commitment to maintaining educational standards through enhanced regulatory mechanisms and institutional compliance.
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