(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
(By Muhammad Mansoor Mumtaz Lahore)
Pakistan Medical Association raises alarm over licensing delay affecting 77 senior consultants despite PMDC-approved MD/MS degrees
President of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Professor Shahid Malik, has expressed serious concern that the PMDC-approved MD/MS degrees of approximately 77 senior consultants have still not been endorsed on their PMDC licenses. Due to this omission, these doctors are facing unnecessary difficulties regarding their professional status and service structure. According to the PMA, these consultants have obtained their postgraduate qualifications from recognized public sector institutions including King Edward Medical University (KEMU) Lahore, Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) Lahore, and the University of Health Sciences (UHS) Lahore, among others. Their respective degree programs and training hospitals were initially approved by PMC; however, the approval was later withdrawn by PMDC in 2023 through a council decision, accompanied by a temporary amnesty policy. Under this policy, FCPS holders were allowed licensing until 2028, while MD/MS holders were granted licensing only until 2023.
As a result, nearly 70 MD/MS-qualified consultants trained in government hospitals and graduated from public universities remain in distress. This issue became prominent after 2023 and still persists. Professor Shahid Malik further stated that despite this situation, several medical universities and CPSP continue admissions in various postgraduate programs that do not have formal PMDC approval. If this trend continues, doctors may continue to face similar professional hardships and exploitation in the future.The PMA emphasized that the affected consultants obtained their degrees from duly recognized government institutions and therefore should not be subjected to discriminatory treatment. Their professional status should be restored without delay.
Professor Malik also stressed that the same level of exemption and facilitation granted to CPSP degree holders should also be extended to university graduates, ensuring merit-based equality and equal professional opportunities for all eligible doctors. The Pakistan Medical Association has strongly demanded that PMDC: Immediately endorse MD/MS degrees of qualified doctors on their licenses.
Extend the same exemption facilities to university graduates as are available to CPSP degree holders.
Issue a clear and transparent policy for the immediate resolution of this matter so that affected consultants receive their rightful professional recognition. Prevent any university or institution from initiating or continuing postgraduate medical programs without PMDC approval to stop future exploitation of doctors. The PMA expressed hope that PMDC will take immediate notice of this important matter and implement corrective measures to restore the legitimate rights of senior consultants and help improve the overall standard of medical services in the country.
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