Medical Council Exam Held for Thousands of Afghan Graduates

The Ministry of Public Health, in cooperation with the National Examination Authority, has conducted the Medical Council (Exit) exam for nearly 7,000 graduates of medical and dental faculties, an important step toward improving the quality of healthcare services and ensuring the competence of the country’s medical workforce.

The exam was held in the presence of Noor Jalal Jalali, Minister of Public Health, Rahimullah Haqqani, Deputy of the National Examination Authority, and several other officials. Authorities said the purpose of the exam is to assess the graduates’ knowledge and professional skills and to ensure their readiness to provide healthcare services to citizens.

Sharafat Zaman Amarkhail, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, said: “The Ministry of Public Health of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, in coordination with the National Examination Authority, conducted the exit exam for 7,000 doctors. This exam, also known as the licensing exam, is held to ensure that qualified professionals provide standard healthcare services in society.”

Some doctors consider this process an important step toward transparency, fairness, and equal opportunities for all graduates.

Dr. Samiullah Ahmadi said: “The exit exam is a good filter between hardworking students and those who have made less effort. Those who pass this exam receive a professional license to practice.”

Despite the exam being held, only male graduates were allowed to participate, and for the fourth consecutive year, female graduates have been excluded, an issue that has drawn criticism from some women.

Khaleda, a medical graduate who has been working as an intern at a private hospital in Kabul for more than two years, said: “Because we have not been able to take the exam, we face many challenges. When we apply for jobs at hospitals, we are asked whether we have passed the exam or not.”

Another graduate, Atifa, added: “Our request from the Islamic Emirate is that women should also be allowed to take the exam.”

The Medical Council (Exit) exam is a key requirement for obtaining a professional license in the health sector. It is designed to ensure that graduates of medical and dental fields possess the necessary knowledge and practical skills to enter the workforce and provide standard healthcare services.