MTI Bannu and Swat Terminate Training for Afghan Medical Graduates

What happened

According to a notification issued by the dean/chief executive officer of Bannu Medical College on October 9, the Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) Bannu has terminated the house job training of all Afghan MBBS graduates with immediate effect [1]. This decision was made following a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office and a letter issued by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) [1].

In Swat, the Medical Superintendent (MS) of the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) issued an office order directing Afghan nationals undertaking house jobs or enrolled in medical programmes at the Medical Teaching Institute (MTI) Swat and DHQ Hospital Swat to discontinue their training or studies [2]. These individuals have been directed to vacate hostel accommodation immediately and leave Pakistan [2].

Additionally, training for Afghan postgraduate medical trainees has been terminated with immediate effect at Nowshera Medical College and Qazi Hussain Ahmad Medical Complex [1]. A notification from the Office of the Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education, Nowshera Medical College, stated that the trainees’ visas have expired [1].

Who is affected

Multiple institutions and individuals are affected by these orders:

• MTI Bannu: All Afghan MBBS graduates undergoing house job training have had their training terminated [1]. The specific number of graduates affected has not been disclosed [2].
• MTI Swat and DHQ Hospital Swat: Six Afghan nationals working as house officers—Wajidullah, Qudratullah, Bilal Ahmed, Humayun Ahmed, Mudassir, and Abdullah—have been ordered to stop their house jobs, vacate hostels, and leave the country [2].
• Nowshera Medical College and Qazi Hussain Ahmad Medical Complex: Afghan postgraduate medical trainees have been terminated and directed to vacate the premises immediately [1]. The notification from Nowshera Medical College lists three specific postgraduate trainees:
  • Dr Mohammad Sami (MCPS ENT trainee) [1]
  • Dr Mohammad Zubair (MCPS ENT trainee) [1]
  • Dr Husna (MCPS trainee in gynaecology and obstetrics) [1]