PMDC, Kyrgyz delegation discuss collaboration

Islamabad: A delegation from Republic of Kyrgyzstan, led by Minister of Science and Education Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva visited the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and discussed PMDC president Dr. Rizwan Taj the ways to opportunities for bilateral collaboration.

Kyrgyz Ambassador Avazbek Atakhanov, rectors and heads of Kyrgyz universities, and representatives from the Higher Education Commission were also part of the delegation.

The meeting, held at the main PMDC offices here, revolved around the registration criteria for foreign medical graduates, admission standards for Pakistani students in foreign institutions, and accreditation protocols for foreign medical colleges. PMDC president Dr. Rizwan Taj emphasised the significant progress Pakistan has made in the medical field. He noted that the country currently has 186 medical and dental colleges, producing highly skilled healthcare professionals.

"Over 365,000 doctors are registered with PMDC, playing a crucial role in meeting the healthcare needs of the nation. Pakistani graduates a respected across the globe." Dr Taj said only graduates from PMDC-recognised foreign institutions were eligible for provisional registration and could appear for the National Registration Examination (NRE).

"Graduates who successfully pass NRE Steps I and II qualify for a full license to practice medicine or dentistry in Pakistan." The PMDC president highlighted the admission criteria for Pakistani students seeking enrollment in foreign medical institutions.

He said students must be admitted to PMDC-recognised foreign institutions and check the list and fulfill the criteria available on the PMDC website before proceeding abroad for studies. Regarding the accreditation of foreign medical institutions, Prof Taj said the PMDC maintained a list of recognised foreign institutions on its official website that was provisional and subject to periodic review.

"We've developed a new accreditation proforma, requiring foreign institutions to meet the local and international standards." The PMDC president said Pakistan’s medical education system had earned global recognition for its high standards.

He said collaboration with Kyrgyzstan provided an excellent opportunity for mutual growth and the advancement of medical education in both nations. "No compromise will made on the quality of medical education within the country or outside for Pakistani students," he said.

The Kyrgyz minister appreciated Pakistan’s contributions to the global medical fraternity and expressed keen interest in strengthening ties with Pakistan in the field of medical education. Both sides agreed to explore avenues for joint capacity-building measures to further enhance the quality of medical education in both nations.