PMDC Digitizes License Renewal Process for Doctors
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has taken a significant step towards modernizing its operations by digitizing the license renewal process for doctors.
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has taken a significant step towards modernizing its operations by digitizing the license renewal process for doctors. Two months after the launch of an updated online portal, PMDC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj directed the IT team to implement e-certificates for both license renewals and Good Standing Certificates.
Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj highlighted that this initiative is designed to offer a more efficient and user-friendly experience for medical and dental professionals across the country. "The introduction of e-certificates will expedite the process, minimizing any disruption for doctors," he stated, noting that the new system is expected to reduce the processing time for license renewals to just 6-7 days and for Good Standing Certificates to 1-2 days.
The PMDC's enhanced digital infrastructure is set to revolutionize the way it handles applications, with the capacity to process up to 300-400 applications per day, a significant improvement in operational efficiency. This marks a departure from the current manual system, which has been criticized for being time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Under the new digital initiative, the manual handling of paperwork will be replaced by online submissions, electronic certificate generation, and direct digital delivery. These changes will not only streamline the process but also enhance security, reducing the risk of fraud or forgery. Prof. Taj pointed out that this digital transition would also lead to cost savings by reducing printing and mailing expenses, as well as paper usage.
Since the portal's update in June 2024, the PMDC has processed 17,524 renewal applications, successfully completing and issuing 16,692 of them. Additionally, 5,063 doctors and dentists applied for Good Standing Certificates during the same period, with 4,891 successfully issued. These certificates are often necessary for those seeking international practice opportunities, applying for jobs, or pursuing further education.
Prof. Taj reiterated that once the e-certification system is fully operational, the processing times for both license renewals and Good Standing Certificates will be significantly reduced, further enhancing the convenience and efficiency of the PMDC's services for medical professionals across Pakistan.
