Policy issued for admission to Level-II postgraduate medical diplomas

LAHORE:The Punjab government has notified a new policy framework for the induction of postgraduate trainees in various Level-II Diploma (Clinical and Basic) programs across public sector medical universities and colleges, replacing earlier instructions issued in July 2023.

According to the Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Department (SHC&MED), the induction process will now be conducted through a centralized, computerized, and merit-cum-preference-based online portal developed by the University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore. The policy covers Level-II diplomas in ten specialties including Anesthesia, Radiology, Pathology, Radiotherapy, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Forensic Medicine, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, subject to approval from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and respective degree-awarding institutions.

The notification makes clear that the Government of Punjab will bear no financial liability for these programs. No stipend shall be given to Level-II trainees by the Punjab government or SHC&ME Department, placing the responsibility of running the programs on the universities themselves. Fees will be charged as approved by the syndicates of the respective universities.

Admissions will be strictly merit-based, with UHS tasked to conduct an entrance examination comprising 100 multiple-choice questions. Results will be announced within seven days, and the curriculum outline for the test will be published on the university’s official website. The merit formula allocates 50 points to entrance test performance, 30 points to academic record, and 20 points to professional experience, with applications scrutinized by UHS, which will also determine eligibility and display merit lists online.

The policy further clarifies that induction in postgraduate programs of the Institute of Public Health (IPH), Lahore and the Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI), Lahore-excluding FCPS/MS/MD programs already under central induction-shall also be conducted by UHS through institution-based advertisements. The SHC&ME Department emphasized that postgraduate trainees will be regulated under the code of conduct of their respective universities and PMDC, and in case of misconduct, training may be terminated by the institution.

The revised framework is aimed at bringing greater transparency, uniformity, and meritocracy to the admission process of postgraduate diplomas in Punjab’s medical education sector.