By submitting an application to the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) for accreditation, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) in ISLAMABAD has taken a major step towards worldwide recognition. After the passage of the PM&DC Act 2022, the council made it a top priority to be recognised as a WFME.
President PM&DC Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj assembled a specialised WFME accreditation cell made up of specialists from around Pakistan in order to fulfil the criteria for WFME accreditation. The WFME application required extensive deliberation and numerous discussions to ensure that all requirements were met. Around 124 universities and colleges took part in statewide sessions to help smooth the way.
To aid in the WFME accreditation process, the PMDC convened a panel of experts from throughout the country.
The PMDC’s application for accreditation was reviewed by WFME, which ultimately gave it the green light. The next stage is to coordinate with WFME to arrange a site visit by international body assessors. These evaluators will travel to Pakistan to examine the PMDC and other regulatory institutions there.
The PMDC is responsible for accrediting medical schools, and the team visiting them will assess the efficacy of that procedure in its entirety. The entire procedure, including on-site evaluations and inspections, should take no more than a year and should be finished well before the year 2024.
Once accepted by WFME, the PMDC’s accreditation programme will make it possible for graduates of PMDC-licensed schools to freely seek further education and employment opportunities anywhere in the world.
Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj, President of the PMDC, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to meeting all regulatory requirements and developing norms that are consistent with WFME’s recommendations and global best practises. This effort is driven by a desire to have Pakistani medical schools and doctors recognised on a worldwide scale and to foster a culture of constant progress in medical education.
Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj hailed this success as a major turning point made possible by the persistent work of the PMDC. The federal government’s health minister has also praised the council for its efforts.
