The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has been reported to have recently decided to lower the eligibility criterion for admission to private medical colleges from 60 per cent to 50pc.
As a medical teacher with experience in examining students from private medical colleges, I strongly believe that the said decision will have far-reaching negative consequences for the healthcare system in Pakistan.
The reduction in eligibility criterion will inevitably lead to students with lower academic standards being admitted to medical colleges. This raises serious concerns about the quality of education and training that these students will receive. In my experience, many students from private medical colleges struggle with basic language skills, and struggle to write coherent sentences in English.
This deficiency will undoubtedly affect their ability to provide quality healthcare services.
Furthermore, the decision to lower eligibility criterion may compromise the integrity of the medical profession. Doctors play a critical role in society, and it is essential that they possess the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to deliver high-quality patient care. By admitting students with lower academic standards, we risk producing doctors who may not be equipped to handle the demands of the profession.
The PMDC must reconsider its decision and prioritise the quality of medical education in Pakistan. Instead of focusing on filling vacant seats, we should strive to maintain even higher academic standards that may ensure that our medical graduates are competent and capable of providing due patient care.
DR GHAZI KHAN MARRI
JAMSHORO
