Foreign-Trained Doctors Challenge PMDC Licensing Exams

PMDC Faces Backlash as Foreign Medical Graduates Protest Licensing Rules

Nadeem Tanoli

Islamabad: Foreign medical graduates in Pakistan have raised serious concerns against the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), accusing it of unfair, inconsistent, and discriminatory practices in issuing licenses. Doctors who studied abroad say they are facing delays, new hurdles, and retroactive policies that have left their careers in uncertainty.

The main dispute centers on the PMDC’s newly introduced policy requiring foreign graduates to pass the National Recognition Examination (NRE) before receiving a registration certificate. Graduates who applied in June and July claim they are now being forced to follow this requirement even though it was announced after their applications were submitted. They argue that changing rules retroactively is unjust and violates basic principles of fairness.

Further frustration has emerged over the inconsistent application of these rules. Some doctors who graduated and applied at the same time as their peers have been granted permanent licenses without being asked to take the NRE, while others have been denied. Graduates point to provisional certificates that explicitly mention the NRE requirement, but argue that its sudden and selective enforcement has caused chaos.

Adding to these grievances are administrative delays. Under the PMDC Act, permanent registration should be issued within 14 days of application. However, many foreign-trained doctors report waiting for months without any progress, only to be told that the NRE is now mandatory.

Leaders representing foreign graduates, including Dr. Adnan, Dr Rafay and Dr. Rafi Shero, have voiced these complaints publicly at the National Press Club. They condemned policies that restrict exam attempts, reject valid international medical experience, and impose inconsistent passing standards compared to Pakistani graduates. They also criticized PMDC for failing to conduct the NRE regularly, depriving candidates of fair chances to qualify. In response, the PMDC has clarified that passing the NRE is mandatory under the law for all foreign-trained doctors and emphasized that patient safety is its top priority. The Council further stated that its actions are consistent with global standards, where almost every country requires foreign graduates to pass a licensing exam before independent practice.

However, students remain confused about the Council’s interpretation of eligibility. One graduate pointed out that the notification allows only students from colleges recognized by both the ECFMG and PMDC to appear in the exam. “Our college is recognized by the ECFMG but not yet by PMDC. Does this mean we can sit in the exam or not? If yes, then PMDC must issue a clear notification guaranteeing our right to sit in the November exam and in future attempts,” the student questioned.

The foreign medical graduates are demanding immediate action from the authorities. They insist that applications submitted before the new rule came into effect should be processed under the old regulations. They also call for a transparent and timely licensing process, ensuring that all foreign-trained doctors are treated equally and given a fair opportunity to serve in Pakistan’s healthcare system.

News Link: https://minutemirror.com.pk/foreign-medical-graduates-protest-pmdcs-new-licensing-rules-436794/