ISLAMABAD – In a landmark decision, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has permitted medical/dental students from Gaza to complete their studies in Pakistan.
The council’s decision enables Gaza students to continue their medical education in Pakistan on humanitarian grounds to ensure that their studies are not interrupted due to the challenging circumstances in their home country.
The PM&DC Council in its recent meeting made this decision on the request of the Pakistani High Commissioner in London to adjust the students of Gaza in Pakistan keeping in mind the current scenario so that opportunity could be provided to form a stable and resourceful environment for Gaza students to pursue their medical degrees and contribute to the healthcare sector in Palestine.
However, under the PM&DC law/regulations, the council doesn’t have any specific provision of clinical rotation of foreign students in Pakistan. According to the PM&DC spokesperson, however, on the request of the high commission the matter was placed before the council. The high commission proposed that the students would be coming in batches of 20-30, with an expected number of 100 students and upon completion of their clinical placement in Pakistan, these students will graduate from universities of Gaza for clinical rotations in Pakistani medical colleges and attached teaching hospitals in the public sector, as a special case.
A committee is to be constituted headed by President PM&DC and council members, including the representatives of MOFA and NHSR&C to smoothly execute induction of these students into the Pakistani medical education system in the corresponding years.
President PM&DC explained that it was the need of the hour and the council wanted to be of some help in this hour of need. Gaza students will have the opportunity to learn in a well-equipped environment, which might be lacking in Gaza due to ongoing conflicts and resource constraints.
Graduates can serve as trainers and mentors for other healthcare professionals in Gaza by sharing their knowledge and skills, they can help raise the overall standard of medical practice in their community.
With exposure to research and innovative medical practices, these students can contribute to healthcare needs. This initiative will nurture a sense of solidarity and support among countries facing similar challenges. It shows Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the development and resilience of other nations.
Equipped with advanced medical training, these students can play a crucial role in community health education, raising awareness about preventive care, hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention and can better respond to healthcare crisis, such as conflicts or natural disasters.
