‘Medical graduates of foreign unaccredited institutes can’t practise in Pakistan’

ISLAMABAD: Federal health authorities have informed the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) that foreign-trained medical graduates would not be permitted to practice in Pakistan if their alma maters are not recognized by the accreditation agencies of host countries within a specified timeframe.

“Many Pakistani students enrolled in medical colleges and institutions abroad lack recognition from the respective accreditation bodies of those countries. We are setting a deadline for these institutions to obtain accreditation from their host countries. After this deadline, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) will not acknowledge their medical degrees,” Federal Health Secretary Iftikhar Shallwani, told The News on Friday.

Health Secretary Iftikhar Shallwani said they have conveyed their concerns to the visiting President of WFME, Ricardo León-Bórquez, who assured his complete support to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) in this regard.

Hundreds of Pakistani students pursue medical education in Central Asian states and other regions across the globe. However, they frequently encounter challenges when seeking to practice medicine in Pakistan.

“This is primarily due to the fact that their alma maters often lack recognition by the accreditation bodies of their respective countries of origin,” Secretary Shallwani added.