ISLAMABAD, February 7, 2025 – In a move to streamline the medical degree verification process, Dr. Mukhtar Bharath, the Coordinator to the Prime Minister on National Health Services and Regulations, has instructed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to ensure that all medical educational institutes complete the verification of degrees within a strict three-day timeframe. This directive aims to improve the efficiency of the verification process and enhance the overall quality of medical education in Pakistan.
The announcement came on Thursday during Dr. Bharath’s visit to the PMDC’s headquarters, where he held a meeting to discuss the operations and challenges of the council. Dr. Bharath received a comprehensive briefing on the functioning of the body, and the issues it faces regarding degree verifications, doctor registrations, and licensing. During the meeting, he expressed concern over the backlog of pending applications and emphasized the importance of resolving these matters promptly.
As part of his directives, Dr. Bharath instructed the PMDC to prioritize the disposal of all pending degree verification applications as soon as possible. He underlined that ensuring the timely verification of degrees is essential not only for upholding the integrity of medical education but also for fostering trust within the healthcare system in Pakistan.
In addition to his concerns regarding degree verification, Dr. Bharath highlighted the importance of improving the registration and licensing processes for doctors. He instructed the PMDC to address complaints related to these issues on a priority basis, ensuring that all doctors can practice without unnecessary delays or bureaucratic hurdles.
During his visit, Dr. Bharath also took time to inspect the PMDC’s IT infrastructure and digitalization efforts. The Council has been working on improving its systems to better serve the medical community and streamline various processes. Dr. Bharath expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing digital initiatives but stressed the need for faster implementation. He further emphasized that the PMDC’s inspection system must be digitized on an urgent basis to further enhance operational efficiency and reduce any administrative bottlenecks.
Dr. Bharath reassured the PMDC staff that the government remains fully committed to ensuring that Pakistan’s medical education meets international standards. This, he stated, is part of a broader effort to reform the healthcare sector in the country and promote transparency and merit-based practices within institutions like PMDC.
“Our focus remains on creating a medical education system that is robust, credible, and globally competitive,” Dr. Bharath said during the meeting. “By improving processes such as degree verification and doctor registration, we are taking concrete steps toward advancing the quality of healthcare in Pakistan.”
The Prime Minister’s Coordinator also reiterated that the government will continue to roll out reforms aimed at enhancing the health sector. He acknowledged the challenges faced by medical professionals and institutions but assured that PMDC will be supported through these reforms to make substantial progress in improving medical education and practices across the country.
By expediting the degree verification process and adopting digital systems, the government aims to create a more transparent, efficient, and accountable medical education framework that will benefit students, professionals, and ultimately the people of Pakistan.