The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has made it mandatory for Pakistani students aspiring to pursue medical education abroad to pass the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) in the country, PMDC Executive Committee member Jawad Amin Khan told The Express Tribune in an exclusive interview on Tuesday.

He revealed that many students who clear the Intermediate Pre-Medical exam often secure admissions to MBBS and BDS programs in foreign medical colleges through agents based in Pakistan. However, PMDC doesn’t have detailed information about these institutions, including their admission policies, curricula, facilities, or even the number of Pakistani students enrolled.

To address these concerns, Khan said that PMDC has made it compulsory for students to register for and clear the MDCAT exam before enrolling in any foreign medical college. After passing MDCAT, students will receive a certificate, which will facilitate their registration with PMDC.

“This initiative will help PMDC collect comprehensive data on students enrolling in foreign medical institutions and ensure they meet the necessary standards,” Khan told The Express Tribune. He added that a detailed policy regarding this decision will be released soon.

Khan also highlighted the challenges faced by students who complete their medical education in smaller foreign countries. Only about 2% of these graduates successfully pass the PMDC equivalency test. To address this, PMDC has delegated the responsibility of conducting equivalency tests to the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS). Only students who clear these tests will be registered as doctors with PMDC.

The council also plans to inspect medical colleges in smaller countries, with inspections carried out by PMDC officials. Khan expressed concerns at the financial burden on students studying abroad, who pay around $50,000 annually, including fees, accommodation, and other expenses. This results in a huge outflow of foreign exchange from Pakistan.