PMDC continued to issue permanent registration certificates to Pakistani doctors on Friday, without the need for the National Licensing Examination (NLE).
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) continued to issue permanent registration certificates to Pakistani doctors on Friday, without the need for the National Licensing Examination (NLE).
According to Registrar PMDC Dr. Suleman Ahmed, this exam was previously mandatory under PMC law, and local graduates had to appear and pass the NLE exam before receiving permanent registration, even after graduation from Pakistani medical and dental colleges.
He stated that in this regard, various doctor forums and organisations held protests and demonstrations at various levels, and that the previous government was repeatedly urged to repeal the aforementioned black law.
Previously, NLE was performed by doctors who graduated from Pakistan’s approved medical and dental colleges, which was heavily criticized by the country’s medical community.
He stated that this step was taken in response to doctor demand and on the advice of Minister of National Health Services Abdul Qadir Patel, after the President of Pakistan signed the relevant legislation.
Taking on all relevant matters and affairs, PMDC launched its registration portal as a priority after completing all necessary preparations for the transition from PMC to PMDC. An interactive PMDC online portal has been launched to assist doctors across the country in this regard.
He stated that 1,500 registration certificates to Pakistani doctors were issued on the first day, and PMDC also began issuing good-standing certificates and renewals.
“We invite all local graduates who have been waiting for their permanent registration for a long time to apply online for registration.” These graduates had waited a long time to register but were unable to do so due to the strict rules imposed by previous PMCs, he added.
He stated that one of PMDC’s goals is to create a registration portal that is simple to use, easy to navigate, and user-friendly.
He added that PMDC ensured that the registration portal was accurate and capable of storing doctors’ confidential information, as well as developing a system that provides a secure payment system for application fees and a system for tracking and managing applications.
According to him, the exam for foreign graduates, known as the National Registration Examination (NRE), has been introduced by the new PMDC Act 2022 for Pakistani graduates with undergraduate degrees from foreign institutions.
He stated that passing the NRE will be required for full registration, and that the NRE will be primarily based on objective computer-based multiple-choice questions and a practical component.
“We welcome the suggestions of the medical fraternity throughout the country, and we extend full facilitation to reach out and address the grievances of every medical professional, and we facilitate to the greatest extent possible,” he said.