VC says dearth of teaching faculty leading to recognition problems

PESHAWAR: Vice-Chancellor of Khyber Medical University (KMU) Professor Dr Muhammad Hafizullah has said that dearth of teaching faculty in the field of basic medical sciences has created problem of recognition by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and registration with the KMU.

“Both public and private sector medical colleges are facing problem in getting recognition by the PMDC and affiliation by the KMU,” the VC told Pro-Chancellor KMU and Senior Minister IT and Health Shahram Khan Tarakai during his visit to the university.

He said medical colleges are trying to attract faculty by offering them enhanced pay packages to fulfill the faculty requirements of PMDC and KMU. However, he admitted that the public sector medical colleges were suffering because they were bound by the pay scales of the faculty.

Prof Dr Muhammad Hafizullah briefed the senior minister about the achievements made by KMU in terms of academics programmes and research activities at the university. Senior Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai appreciated the achievements of the university and stressed the need to further enhance the standard of medical, dental, nursing and allied health sciences education.

He acceded to the request of the KMU authorities about provision of stipend to 100 M.Phil/PhD basic science scholars.  He also agreed to provide Rs100 million grant-in-aid per year for five years to KMU for the smooth functioning and further strengthening of KMU-Institute of Medical Sciences and KMU-Institute of Dental Sciences, Kohat.

The minister also agreed to the request of KMU VC for adjustment of Rs 110million bridge finance into grant in aid for the purchase of equipment for KMU-Institute of Basic Medical Sciences.