PMDC can perform its regulatory functions : Registrar

Islamabad: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) said no court of the law in the country had stopped it from regulating medical and dental education and practice.

“There have been no restraining orders from any court on performing its regulatory functions,” PMDC Registrar Dr Raja Amjad Mehmood told reporters here.

The registrar said the PMDC had written a letter to the Ministry of NHRSC responding to its objection to the holding of council meetings. He said the PMDC Executive Committee was restored automatically on July 17 after the term of the PMDC Ordinance 2014 ended 120 days after its promulgation. Dr. Raja Amjad said the minutes of the PMDC Executive Committee and Council had been communicated to the ministry from time to time for information.

“The letter of the NHRSC ministry to restrain the PMDC from performing its regulatory functions as an autonomous body is without any legal support. Instead, it is a contempt of court as the ministry has already told the Sindh High Court in writing that it will not interfere with the PMDC functions and decisions.

The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination took notice of ‘unlawful’ meetings held by Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and advised the concerned to refrain from such practices. In a letter dated August 18, 2014, the ministry pointed out that the meetings held at the PMDC, specifically mentioning the one held on 08 August since it included some of the already de-notified members.

The ministry was of the view that holding any such meetings was not in line with the orders and judgments passed by various courts of the country, including those passed by Lahore High Court as well as decided by the then Chief Justice of the LHC.

PMDC has become controversial after the election of its members was challenged in courts and is expected not to take any policy decisions until its legal position is clear.

The ministry advised the PMDC that in view of the current legal and factual position, it was imperative that all at PMDC comply with the instructions of the Ministry already communicated to the office of the Registrar of the PMDC and ensure that no such illegal meetings were held at PMDC or under its auspices, as these would not be of any lawful consequence.

With Ministry trying to make PMDC redundant, it is a matter of grave concern for students as well as their parents seeking admission to medical and dental colleges as they may end up in one of the bogus colleges and thus jeopardizing their future. It’s time that Ministry should either publish a list of fully functional and recognized colleges or take responsibility for it.