Pakistan Requires NOC for Medical Studies Abroad

The federal government of Pakistan has introduced a new regulation for Pakistani students planning to study medicine abroad. They are now required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). This decision, announced by a spokesperson from the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination (NHSR&C), is aimed at ensuring that Pakistani medical students enroll only in recognized institutions.

The need for this policy change arose from cases where Pakistani students were admitted to foreign educational institutions that were not recognized by the host countries. Under the updated guidelines, Pakistani students pursuing medical and dental degrees overseas must first obtain an NOC from the relevant authority before commencing their studies.

According to an official from the Ministry of National Health Services, more than 3,000 Pakistani students travel abroad annually for medical studies. Currently, around 18,000 Pakistani students are enrolled in medicine and dentistry programs in foreign countries.

The new requirement of obtaining an NOC from the PMDC before studying medicine abroad is a significant step towards ensuring the quality and recognition of educational institutions attended by Pakistani students. This measure aims to protect students from enrolling in unrecognized programs and ultimately contributes to the overall improvement of medical education standards in Pakistan.