Lahore, The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) has been granted recognition status by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) for a period of ten years, a development that is set to significantly broaden the professional horizons for Pakistani medical graduates. The recognition permits medical graduates from Pakistan to apply for training and practice in more than 50 countries worldwide, marking a pivotal step in the international validation of Pakistan’s medical education.
According to The University of Lahore, this WFME recognition ensures that graduates from any PM&DC-recognized medical college in Pakistan can now apply for the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The timing of this achievement is crucial as starting from 2024, ECFMG certification, which necessitates WFME recognition, becomes mandatory for medical graduates seeking to practice in the United States and several other countries.
The University College of Medicine and Dentistry (UCMD) is lauded for its instrumental role in attaining this achievement, which underscores the commitment of medical universities in Pakistan to maintaining exemplary standards of medical education. The accreditation attests that Pakistani medical education institutes meet or exceed international benchmarks, promising further improvements in medical education quality and standards by aligning with global best practices.
The WFME, in official partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), represents the medical education and training of medical doctors globally. It assesses accreditation agencies’ compliance with internationally recognized criteria through a robust and globally respected accreditation process.
Prof Dr. Rizwan Taj, President of the PM&DC, expressed his gratitude for the collective efforts of various medical institutes, notably the UCMD at the University of Lahore. As a key contributor to the WFME application process, UCMD, through the efforts of its principal, Prof Dr. Mahwish Arooj, facilitated numerous training sessions across Pakistan.
The involvement of WFME leadership, including visits from past presidents Prof David Gordon and Prof Ricardo Leon Borquez and the Chairman of the WFME Evaluation Committee for Pakistan, Prof Hossam Hamdy, to Pakistan was crucial. Their interactions with medical educators in Pakistan heightened awareness of the accreditation process and its requirements, while providing WFME officials with insights into the specific needs of Pakistani medical education.
UCMD’s extensive program of training and seminars, which included consultations with deans, principals, and directors from accredited countries, was vital in preparing Pakistan’s medical colleges for accreditation. This collective effort culminated in the 7th International Conference on Health Professions Education (ICHPE) in November 2023, which focused on contextualizing medical education and featured recognition of UCMD’s significant contributions to the field.