ISLAMABAD: Prospective medical students should verify that a postgraduate programme is recognised by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council before enrolling in it, the council warned students on Friday.

According to the PMDC, it has sent directives to all degree awarding medical and dental institutions for qualifications such as MS, MPhil and PhD, not to advertise any unrecognised programme.

In a statement, the council stated: “PMDC does not register any postgraduate qualifications, which are not recognised in line with section 16 of the PMDC Ordinance, 1962 and Amendment Act 2012, which states that the federal government may grant recognition to any post-graduate medical or dental institution in or outside Pakistan, which train or grant or both train and grant additional medical or dental qualifications.”

PMDC President Dr Shabir Lehri said the candidates for postgraduate qualifications should ensure that the
post-graduate course they enrol in is recognised by the council.

Lehri said admitting or advertising any unrecognised postgraduate course will be considered a clear violation of the PMDC Ordinance. He suggested students consult the list of PMDC approved degree-awarding institutions available online.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2016.