THE Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) is responsible for accrediting doctors across Pakistan. Unfortunately, the system within PMDC is in a complete disarray. The sluggish operations and inefficiency of the institution reflect in its inability to perform and deliver.

Last year, my daughter, who was already registered with PMDC, applied online to add her higher qualification. After waiting for seven months without any response, she requested me to follow up on her case. To my astonishment, I discovered thatthe application processin the case had not even been initiated in all those seven months.

Upon my insistence, the officials finally printed the request and began processing it. Despite persistent follow-ups every fortnight, it took nearly 18 months and direct intervention from the secretary concerned to get the matter resolved.

During my visits to PMDC offices, I witnessed hundreds of young doctors moving clueless from one counter to another, desperately trying to get their work done. The reception staff, however, appearedindifferent, payingno heed to their concerns.

The relevant high offices in the country must intervene and streamline PMDC`s operations. The entire system is in a dire and urgent need of a revamp.

Due to a serious lack of oversight and accountability, the bureaucratic red-tape is rampant, causing sufferings to doctors who rely on PMDC for essential services.

Shahid Iqbal Islamabad