Uncertainty hangs in air for Pakistani Graduates who seek employment in the US

Working as a doctor in United States of America (USA) requires a certain criterion to be followed by the medical officials as well as the countries they belong to. At individual level, a medical professional is required to take a United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) in order to earn their permissions and license for practicing in USA. Otherwise, they would not be eligible for practicing in hospitals across the USA.  

On the other hand, another requirement that needs to be fulfilled at the country level is the criteria of World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). This global certification is a mandatory requirement that each country must fulfil to employ its doctors in the USA. If a country fails to achieve this certification, none of its doctors are allowed to take a USMLE.  

Achieving this WFME accreditation comprises a WFME team visit to a country which examines and ensures quality education, medical standards, and practices of that particular country.  

Despite the given situation and vivid criterion of International Medical practice, Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) has failed to comply with any of the requirements until now. USA’s Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) has announced that no Pakistani doctor will be allowed to work in USA after Jan 2024 if the PMC further fails to meet the criteria set by their officials.  

They further argued that due to the rising private-for-profit colleges, they were compelled to take such a step. Furthermore, it is unfortunate that the PMC has postponed the visit of WFME team, which served as a fuel for the current burning crises.  

However, the PMC claims that they have planned the WFME team visit within the next 14-15 months, which falls within the deadline proposed by USMLE. Moreover, they are also confident that they will be able to achieve all the accreditations for recognition before the team visits Pakistan for the assessment.  

Although the concerned authorities hold a firm claim to resolve the matter within the given deadline, a sword still hangs above the fate of numerous doctors who have graduated from Pakistani medical universities and are employed in the USA.