PMDC Moves Forward with Fee Reduction Plan for Private Medical and Dental Colleges

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has approved a set of recommendations aimed at regulating tuition fees for private medical and dental colleges. The proposed fee structure has been forwarded to a special committee for further review, with the final decision to be announced by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who chairs the committee on medical education.

Revised Fee Structure and Reductions

Under the new recommendations, the annual tuition fees for private medical colleges are proposed to range between Rs1.8 million and Rs2.5 million, marking a significant reduction from the current Rs2.5 million to Rs3.5 million per year. This move could potentially ease the financial burden on medical students and their families.

An earlier proposal suggesting a lower fee structure of Rs1.2 million to Rs1.5 million annually was rejected by representatives of private medical colleges. However, the current recommendation presents a reduction of Rs500,000 to Rs1 million from the existing fees, making private medical education more affordable.

Additional Regulations and Commitments

Apart from the fee adjustments, the recommendations also include:

• Annual Fee Increment: A controlled 5% increase in fees per year.
• Social Welfare Beds: A mandatory allocation of 35% of beds in affiliated teaching hospitals for patients requiring social welfare assistance.
• Scholarships and Installments: Each private medical college must offer five scholarships per year and introduce flexible installment plans to support underprivileged students.

Agreement and Background

Representatives of private medical and dental colleges have agreed to these revised recommendations, signaling a step toward a more standardized and accessible fee structure.

Previously, in 2012, PMDC had set an annual tuition cap at Rs500,000, allowing a 5% yearly increase. However, many institutions did not comply, leading to a long-standing issue of exorbitant fees. In July last year, the PMDC sought a legal review from the health ministry to establish uniformity in the fee structure, but the matter remained unresolved for months.

With the new fee regulations now moving forward, aspiring medical students may soon benefit from a more structured and affordable education system in Pakistan’s private medical and dental institutions.