ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to provide registration services in major cities of all provinces to facilitate tens of thousands ofdoctors.

Services will include full registration, license renewal, issuance of Good Standing Certificates, provision of duplicates and updates or changes to practitioner records, etc.

President PMDC Dr Rizwan Taj said that in the first phase, a licensing system has been introduced in Lahore at the PMDC regional office at Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex.

`The system will be expanded nationwide in the coming months. Soon, centres will be established in Peshawar and Karachi.

In the third phase, similar centres will be established in Jamshoro andQuetta.

Moreover, a centre in Multan is also on the cards,` he said.

`The system will promote greater transparency, efficiency and accessibility by eliminating traditional hurdles and significantly reducing processing times.

One of the most notable benefits is that it will save medicaland dentalpractitioners time and effort by eliminating the need to travel from different parts ofthe countrytothe Islamabad head office to resolve their queries,` Dr Taj said.

`Furthermore, doctors facing difficulties in filling out the online portal application will be assisted by the staff available at the regional centres, who will be equipped to help with the submission process,` he said.

Dr Taj said Lahore office will also assist candidates in submission and processing of applications online, besides addressing queries for differentcategories. Original certificates will be dispatched to practitioners via TCS courier service, while a copy of the certificate may also be provided to medical and dental professionals for their convenience.

He said the step will accelerate the licensing process through PMDC`s regional offices. `By launching this initiative, we are empowering our doctors to begin their professional journeys without unnecessary delays, he said.

Applicants can now visit the PMDC Lahore Regional Office to receive assistance in submission and processing of applications or resolving any queries related to registration services.

`Original certificates willbe dispatched to practitioners via TCS courier service, while a copy of the certificate may also be provided to medical and dental professionals for their convenience,` he added.