Islamabad, Feb 1: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has recently imposed a ban on the establishment of new medical and dental colleges and an increase in student intake for the next three to five years.
This crucial decision stems from a growing shortage of qualified faculty members, which has become a significant challenge to maintaining educational quality across the nation’s medical institutions.
In a recent PMDC Council meeting, it was highlighted that the rapid expansion of medical colleges in Pakistan has outpaced the growth of qualified teaching staff.
The insufficient number of educators has led to a decline in clinical training, research quality, and overall academic standards. As a result, the PMDC aims to stabilize the situation before further expansion exacerbates the problem. 
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Official reports indicate that Pakistan currently has 187 medical and dental colleges, which require 26,018 faculty members to meet the educational demands. However, only 22,146 faculty members are available, creating a critical shortage that affects both the quality of medical education and patient care. This shortage has raised concerns about the effectiveness of training future doctors and healthcare professionals who play a vital role in the healthcare system.
To address this issue, the PMDC has implemented a temporary halt on establishing new colleges and increasing student seats.
This measure aims to preserve the integrity of the medical education system by preventing strain on limited faculty resources. The council believes this step will maintain educational standards and ensure medical institutions meet regulatory requirements.
Moreover, the PMDC has formally approached the National Health Services (NHS) for assistance in managing the shortage of teaching staff. This request underscores the urgency of addressing the gaps in medical education to safeguard the future of Pakistan’s healthcare system.
In conclusion, while the ban on new colleges and increased student seats may seem restrictive, it is an essential step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability and quality of medical education in Pakistan.
The PMDC is committed to upholding academic excellence and ensuring the healthcare workforce is well-trained to meet the nation’s growing needs.
