Islamabad, The strike of Pakistani medical students in Cuba, which continued for more than one month, has ended and all students have once again resumed their classes after the issue was amicably resolved.

The students were observing strike, as they were of the opinion that the quality of education provided in Cuba is not up to the level of the one provided in Pakistan and they would not be able to pass the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) examination. They had also raised their voices against the non-availability of attached hospitals with their academic institutions.

According to a press release issued by HEC, a comprehensive certificate, addressing all issues, was signed by the deputy minister of health of Cuba and endorsed by the PMDC representative, who was in Cuba for the resolution of all outstanding issues.

Following the hectic efforts by the governments of Pakistan and Cuba, the Pakistani students expressed gratitude to the two countries for securing their future.

A total of 932 students are currently undertaking medical studies in Cuba on a full scholarship by the Cuban government, which encompasses tuition, hostel facility, books, food and all other matters pertaining to the medical studies in Cuba.

The first batch of these students has completed two years of medical study along with a comprehensive course in Spanish and is ready to initiate their third year of classes, while the second batch of students is in their second year of study.

The case for the resolution of the problems faced by these Pakistani students in Cuba was taken up by the Senate Standing Committee on Health, National Assembly Standing Committees on Health and Education. All the committees worked hard to address all concerns of the students and their parents, so that the students may return to serve Pakistan as fully qualified doctors.

A delegation headed by Senator Nilofer Bakhtiar and including representatives of PMDC and HEC have been in Cuba, working with the Pakistani embassy there to find an amicable resolution of the students’ apprehensions in Cuba. The visiting delegation inspected the classrooms, teaching facilities, laboratories and living area of the students in their existing location as well as the new location. The students are proceeding to start their third year of studies along with clinical rotation.