Medical degree requires 6,200 hours of study with 80% minimum attendance over five years
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) on Tuesday announced a new policy requiring students intending to pursue medical or dental education abroad to qualify the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) and obtain PMDC registration before leaving Pakistan.
According to a statement issued by the PMDC, the decision was taken during a high-level committee meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The meeting of the sub-committee on accreditation of medical and dental schools and postgraduate (PG) qualifications reviewed ongoing reforms to strengthen medical and dental education in the country.
“The committee clearly decided that all students intending to pursue medical or dental studies abroad must compulsorily qualify the MDCAT examination and obtain registration with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council before traveling abroad,” the statement said.
Read: PMDC registrar faces charges of misconduct
The committee stressed that there would be “no compromise on inspection standards and procedures” and reiterated a policy of “zero tolerance for any negligence, irregularity or non-compliance in the accreditation process”.
A high-level committee chaired by Dar is currently monitoring efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework for medical and dental education in Pakistan. The sub-committee is focused on increasing transparency, standardizing accreditation mechanisms and streamlining recognition and inspection processes for undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in line with international standards.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding inspection procedures for undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental courses. The committee appreciated the ongoing efforts to ensure “smooth, transparent and merit-based inspections” of institutions.
The members of the committee were briefed on reforms, updated procedures and new mechanisms introduced to improve the quality and credibility of inspections. The participants also emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards in medical and dental education to ensure the future of healthcare in Pakistan.
The committee further directed the students to verify that the foreign institution they intend to join was included in PMDC’s list of recognized institutions before proceeding with admission.
“The institution must be accredited by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) or listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools,” the statement added.
According to the new guidelines, the medical qualification must include at least 6,200 hours of training with an attendance requirement of at least 80% over a period of five years.
The committee also advised that students enrolling in countries where the medium of instruction is not English should spend at least five months learning the local language before beginning their studies.
“In countries where the medium of instruction is not English, students must spend at least five months learning the local language before starting their medical studies to ensure effective communication and academic understanding,” the statement said.
Additionally, candidates returning from foreign institutions will be required to pass the National Registration Examination conducted by PMDC to obtain registration in Pakistan.
The committee required the students to provide complete information about their place of residence and contact numbers in the country of study before departure. Students were also advised to secure a multiple-entry visa valid for the duration of their studies before traveling abroad.
“These measures have been introduced to secure the academic and professional future of Pakistani medical students and to ensure that graduates meet the required national and international standards of medical practice,” the committee stated.
