Poonch Medical College


Poonch Medical College is a public sector medical college established in 2012, located in Trar Dewan, in suburban Rawalakot, Poonch District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. The college is affiliated with the University of [Health Sciences Lahore], and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. Three hospitals i.e Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Hospital in Rawalakot, DHQ Bagh and T.H.Q. Hospital in Hajira with cumulative 700 beds capacity are affiliated with college as Teaching Hospital. Another Teaching Hospital of 200 beds are under construction at Chak Dhamni Rawalakot.

History

The college was established in 2012, comprising a faculty of 11 professors and 18 assistant professors, with 62 students enrolling. Studies began in April 2013, with the first class graduating in 2018. Previous principals of the college include Dr Zia-Ur Rehman, Prof. Dr. Shabeer Ahmed Chudhry, and Dr Azhar Qayyum.

Principals

S#NameQualificationTenure
1Prof Dr Zia Ur RehmanMBBS, FCPS 2013-2018
2Dr Shabbir Ahmad Chaudhary MBBS, M. Phil 2018-2019
3Prof Dr Azhar QayyumMBBS M.Phil, Ph.D 2019-2023
4Dr Shabbir Ahmad Chaudhary MBBS, M. Phil 2023-2024
5Prof Dr. Mumtaz Ahmed Khan MBBS M.Phil, Ph.D 2024- todate

Academics

Poonch Medical College offers a course for a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree. Its academic departments include Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Community Medicine, Medical Education, Surgery & Allied, Radiology, Orthopedic Surgery, Urology, Medicine & Allied, Gastroenterology, Psychiatry, Cardiology, Gynaecology and obstetrics, Ophthalmology, ENT, and Pediatrics.
In 2017, the college was ranked first in merit among all affiliates of the University of Health Sciences Lahore in the MBBS exams.

Campus

Poonch Medical College lacks its own campus and allied facilities and is currently using a facility belonging to a government run polytechnic institute.

Student Life

Notable student unions of the college include Gilgit Baltistan Medicos Union, and Medical Students' Association of Pakistan and Various societies exist on subjects such as literature, sports, and blood donation; among others.
Students from Poonch Medical College Rawalakot are active in research

Recognition

Other than its affiliates, Poonch Medical College is recognized by the World Health Organization and is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.