Pakistan Implements New Rules for Medical Studies Abroad

In a significant development, Pakistani students will now need a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to study medicine and dentistry abroad, according to reports on Tuesday.

The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) told the publication that the PMDC is also considering additional measures to ensure Pakistani students attend only recognized institutions.

This PMDC decision will be effective from the 2024 session, meaning no Pakistani student will be allowed to study medicine abroad without an NOC, said an NHSR&C official.

This move comes because many students have been enrolling in unrecognized institutions. The official revealed that around 3,000 Pakistani students, 30% of whom are women, go abroad for medical studies each year. Most go to China, followed by Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. Other destinations include Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Malaysia, Turkey, Iran, and Eastern European countries like Romania.

Currently, about 15,000 to 18,000 Pakistani students are studying medicine and dentistry abroad. Although there’s no official data, it’s estimated that families spend around $300 million annually on their education, with each family paying about $5,000 to $6,000 per year.

The health ministry official stated that many students are attending substandard institutions that do not provide enough clinical experience. After completing their degrees, these students must do their internships in Pakistan. To practice medicine or pursue further studies in Pakistan, they must pass the National Licensing Examination. Unfortunately, most foreign-qualified students fail this exam, the official claimed.

Language barriers are also a significant issue, as medical education in countries like China, Russia, and Central Asian Republics is conducted in the local languages, making it difficult for Pakistani students to pass their exams.

The official also mentioned that there were around 21,000 students enrolled in 185 public and private medical and dental colleges in Pakistan for the 2023-24 academic year. Pakistani institutions are producing enough doctors to meet the country’s needs, so there’s no need for students to go abroad for medical education, he concluded.