USA/Pakistan
In a significant milestone for Pakistan’s medical education, the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) has granted accreditation to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), as reported by DAWN, Pakistan. This accreditation now enables Pakistani medical graduates to pursue postgraduate training and professional practice in the United States and other countries listed by WFME.
With this approval, Pakistani students also become eligible to take the United States Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) exams and the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, which also require WFME recognition, now open their doors to Pakistani medical graduates.
The road to this recognition was not without its challenges. In September 2010, the ECFMG had announced that after January 2023, only graduates from countries recognized by WFME would be permitted to appear for the USMLE. Despite the initial deadline extension to January 2024 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan faced hurdles in meeting the requirements.
The journey towards WFME recognition saw twists and turns, including the disbandment of the PMDC by a presidential ordinance under the PTI government, leading to the establishment of the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC). However, efforts persisted, and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government in 2023 restored the PMDC, reigniting the path towards recognition.
In response to the accreditation, the PMDC issued a statement expressing enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to receive recognition from WFME, a testament to our continuous efforts to elevate medical education standards in the country.” The President of PMDC, Prof Dr Rizwan Taj, emphasized the significance of this recognition, stating that it validates Pakistan’s adherence to global medical education standards and opens up opportunities for students worldwide.
The recognition process involved rigorous evaluation and collaboration with medical colleges and hospitals, including Shifa College of Medicine, Khyber Medical College Peshawar, the University of Lahore, Agha Khan Medical College Karachi, and the Army Medical College Rawalpindi. Prof Dr Rizwan Taj acknowledged their support and role in ensuring compliance with WFME standards.
Moving forward, the accreditation ensures that all 185 existing medical colleges in Pakistan will become WFME-accredited, with new medical colleges set up in the next decade automatically receiving accreditation. This recognition aims to enhance the quality and standards of medical education in Pakistan by aligning them with global best practices.
The PMDC reassures its commitment to working closely with international partners and stakeholders to ensure continuous compliance and improvement in medical education standards. The WFME recognition process, which encompassed extensive data submissions and evaluations, marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s journey towards global recognition and excellence in medical education.
