ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has launched digital inspections for medical and dental colleges across the country, ARY News reported.
The PMDC announced that inspections will now be carried out digitally nationwide, marking a significant step toward modernizing the approval process.
Meanwhile, the National Inspector Pilot Training Program has commenced in Islamabad.
President PMDC Dr. Rizwan Taj highlighted the importance of the three-day training, which aims to standardize and ensure transparency in the inspection process. He commended the support of Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, describing his assistance as invaluable.
Dr. Taj noted that 60 experts from across Pakistan are participating in the training, which includes practical applications of the new proforma 350.
Additionally, 10 multidisciplinary teams have conducted Digital Training Inspections at various colleges. Dr. Taj emphasized that the pilot phase of digital inspections would pave the way for more advanced future approvals.
Earlier this year, the PMDC carried out inspections of all medical and dental colleges in the country, as directed by the government. Both public and private institutions were included in the evaluation.
Sources confirmed that master trainers have been fully prepared to supervise the inspection process, and they will now train inspectors for on-ground evaluations.
During inspections, college infrastructure, faculty quality, and overall standards were assessed. However, non-compliant institutions were not immediately penalized but were given a six-month grace period to improve their standards.
Health ministry sources clarified that the admission process would continue at these institutions, and substandard colleges would have the opportunity to upgrade their facilities before any penalties were imposed.
Last month, the PMDC imposed a ban on fee collection by private medical and dental colleges. The move followed a recommendation from the Senate’s Health Sub-Committee, which advised suspending fee collection until the Medical Education Committee, led by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, submits its recommendations. The committee is currently reviewing the situation and evaluating standards at private institutions, which have been collecting over Rs15 million in fees over the past five years.
