Islamabad: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMandDC) has directed all medical and dental practitioners and specialists to renew their registration certificates within six months in accordance with the PMandDC Act, 2022 and applicable rules and regulations.

The Council said the renewal process was aimed at bringing the professional register up to date and protecting the interests of both healthcare practitioners and the public.

PMandDC said maintaining an accurate and verifiable register was essential for ensuring that only duly registered and authorised professionals were allowed to practise medicine and dentistry.

According to the Council, the measure will also help address concerns relating to quackery, forgery, fraudulent use of registration certificates and unauthorised medical practice.

An updated registration database will make it more difficult for individuals to misuse or falsely represent professional credentials, PMandDC said.

The Council also highlighted the importance of preventing the misuse of registration certificates and credentials belonging to deceased practitioners. Regular renewal and verification will help identify outdated records and enable appropriate regulatory action.

PMandDC emphasised that maintaining valid registration was both a professional and ethical responsibility. Regular renewal provides verifiable evidence of a practitioner's professional standing and can also benefit doctors when seeking employment, training, licensing or other professional opportunities internationally.

The Council urged all doctors and dentists, particularly those with long-outstanding renewals, to complete the renewal process at the earliest possible opportunity.

PMandDC advised practitioners not to wait until the end of the six-month period and to renew their registration certificates within the stipulated timeframe.