Bannu Medical College students' future at stake

Islamabad, After demonstrating in Bannu, Peshawar, dozens of Bannu Medical College (BMC) students have been protesting in the capital seeking recognition of their medical college by Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).

The collage was established in 2006 by the former Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani. Strength wise it was the 3rd biggest college in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in public sector. The students enrolled were selected by a joint admission committee.

However, the college had been facing problems from the start. There were no basic infrastructure, no proper hostels, and medical instruments were missing from labs. But students ignored these problems in the hope that things would become better.

“But it’s going from bad to worse,” said a 4th year medical student. “We have knocked every politician’s door but have been turned away. The Health Minister told us that half of the country was on roads we should do the same,” said her batch mate.

Four years on, but the students have not done any practical. “Practicals should have started in 3rd year. But in our 4th year we don’t even know how to administer an injection. We did not even have a pharmacology instructor in 3rd year to teach us about drugs,” said another student.

The students feared that without recognition of their degrees they would be denied even house jobs let alone employment in government hospitals. “Even private practice will be criminal,” said a student adding, “We took entrance tests like other students in Khyber Medical College and Ayub Medical College yet our future is uncertain.”

The students who have been protesting since March had met speaker and deputy speaker, National Assembly, KP Chief Minister and officials of the health department but without avail.

“We urge the Chief Justice to take a stand for us. The future of 500 medical students is at stake,” said the student.