ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has approved around 1,400 additional seats in public-sector medical and dental colleges across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Islamabad.
The council said the allocation was made in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework governing medical and dental education in the country.
According to the PMDC, the move is aimed at expanding access to professional medical education, particularly for students from underserved and less-developed areas. It is also expected to reduce the number of Pakistani students seeking medical education abroad.
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The council rejected the impression that private medical colleges are being granted more seats than public-sector institutions, saying the same regulatory standards apply to both sectors.
The PMDC said medical and dental colleges, whether public or private, are required to meet prescribed standards for educational and clinical facilities. It added that patient safety and the quality of medical education would remain key priorities.
