KARACHI: Expressing serious concern over the government's proposal to abolish the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) as part of its restructuring and austerity drive, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) warns that eliminating these regulatory bodies would severely impact the quality of medical education and healthcare in Pakistan, compromising national health standards.
The concern was expressed at a meeting of the association held at PMA House Karachi, presided over by PMA President Dr. Hameed Ullah Kakar.
The meeting was also attended by Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro (Secretary General), Dr. Izhar Ahmed Chaudhry (President Elect), Dr. Muhammad Shahid Shamim (Treasurer), Dr. Vasdev and Dr. Muhammad Aleem Nawaz (Joint Secretaries), Dr. Ameer Muhammad (Editor Medical Gazette), Dr. Shahid Sami (Chairman Editorial Board-JPMA), Prof. S. Tipu Sultan (Ex-President PMA Centre), along with other senior members.
The PMA said the PMDC and HEC play a crucial role in ensuring high standards in medical education, training, and practice. Abolishing these regulatory bodies would undermine the entire healthcare system and compromise the well-being of the people of Pakistan, it warned.
"The PMDC and HEC are essential institutions that safeguard the quality of medical education and healthcare in Pakistan. Abolishing these bodies would be a grave mistake that would have far-reaching consequences for the health and well-being of our citizens," the PMA stated.
The PMA demands that the federal government immediately reconsider its plans to abolish the PMDC and HEC. Instead, the PMA urges the government to strengthen these institutions and empower them to effectively fulfill their mandates.
The PMA also calls on the government to engage in meaningful consultations with the medical community before making any decisions that could impact the healthcare sector.
"We stand ready to work with the government to find solutions that will strengthen the healthcare system and ensure the highest standards of medical education and practice in Pakistan."
The PMA reiterated its commitment to the welfare of the medical profession and the healthcare of the people of Pakistan, vowing to take all necessary actions to protect the interests of the medical community and the public.