Islamabad, March 28, 2025 – Mr. Mustafa Kamal, Federal Minister for the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (M/o NHSR&C), paid a visit to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) to gain a comprehensive understanding of its operations and recent advancements. The visit was marked by an in-depth briefing, during which Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj, President of PM&DC, shared the significant progress made by the council since its reconstitution in April 2023.
The visit highlighted efforts made by the PM&DC to improve medical and dental education in the country, focusing on aligning curricula with international best practices. Prof. Dr. Taj outlined that the updated standards for undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental education now emphasize student-centred learning, competency-based education, and the introduction of key subjects such as Professionalism, Ethics, and Communication Skills. Furthermore, the PM&DC has set mandatory requirements for institutions to establish research departments and outreach centres, enhancing students’ engagement in community services at the grassroots level.
Acknowledging these accomplishments, Mr. Kamal expressed his deep concern about the overall quality of healthcare services, particularly the emotional impact on patients due to the sometimes-unsympathetic attitude of healthcare professionals. He stressed that the role of doctors goes beyond clinical expertise; they must also be compassionate, empathetic, and communicative. Mr. Kamal highlighted the importance of training healthcare practitioners in professionalism, ethics, and communication skills to ensure that patients not only receive the best medical care but also feel understood and supported throughout their journey.
Mr. Kamal’s vision of a patient-centred healthcare system resonated strongly with the goals of PM&DC. He emphasized the need to develop a framework where doctors are not only highly skilled but also highly compassionate. He proposed that professionalism and communication skills be integrated as mandatory components of medical training and practice. This will ensure that doctors, in their role as caregivers, focus not only on healing but also on providing emotional and psychological support to patients.
Moreover, Mr. Kamal stressed the urgent need to leverage technology in healthcare. He proposed that telemedicine platforms be established across the country, enabling patients to access consultations remotely and receive prescribed medications via telehealth applications. This initiative is especially crucial for providing healthcare services in remote areas and for patients who face barriers to traditional in-person visits. Mr. Kamal envisioned that every hospital should have a telemedicine department to facilitate greater accessibility and convenience for patients across Pakistan.
In response to the Minister’s concerns, Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj reaffirmed the council’s commitment to enhancing the quality of medical and dental education and improving healthcare outcomes for all citizens. He acknowledged the importance of addressing the emotional well-being of patients and expressed that PM&DC would prioritize initiatives that promote empathy and professionalism in the medical field. He also confirmed that the PM&DC will work towards making ethics, communication, and patient welfare a central part of medical practice and education in the country.
Prof. Dr. Taj also addressed the ongoing challenges in healthcare, particularly the acute shortage of trained healthcare professionals. He informed the Minister that the PM&DC has mandated the establishment of nursing colleges within three years to tackle the shortage of nursing staff in Pakistan. Additionally, institutions have been directed to use existing facilities to train nursing students, with the aim of creating a sustainable workforce to meet the growing healthcare needs.
The Minister also recognized the progress PM&DC has made in ensuring high educational standards, such as obtaining recognition from the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) for a 10-year period. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of PM&DC under Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj’s leadership. It agreed to work together on initiatives that ensure healthcare professionals are equipped not only with the knowledge and skills needed to treat patients but also with the compassion and empathy that are essential to patient-centred care.