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ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination on Thursday called for urgent reforms to address growing concerns over the validity of the results of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT).
The panel meeting, chaired by MNA Mahesh Kumar Malani, reviewed critical issues related to Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) rules, validity of MDCAT results, increasing number of vacant medical and dental seats, Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) equivalence issues and governance challenges in Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC).
The members of the committee expressed strong reservations about the three-year validity of the MDCAT results, arguing that different exam standards across years created an uneven playing field for applicants. They noted that both current and previous year candidates had approached the courts for help.
The health minister informed the body that admissions for the current cycle could not be changed, but assured members that the ministry would consider legislative changes once they were formally recommended by the committee.
The panel also examined the increasing number of vacancies in MBBS and BDS programmes, mainly attributed to students switching between disciplines or institutions.
Proposals from university rectors and provincial representatives – including a ban on transfers between colleges and optimal use of waiting lists – were reviewed.
The minister directed the PMDC, the law department and the vice-chancellors to jointly prepare a legally approved plan within two days to prevent further wastage of seats.
Members highlighted long-standing inconsistencies in IBCC’s equivalency formulas, particularly inequities faced by students in the Cambridge system compared to local board candidates.
The Speaker tasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Education and several committee members to engage personally with the IBCC and develop a fair, streamlined solution.
The committee expressed deep concern over administrative irregularities in the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council, including the continued involvement of Ms. Yasmin Azad despite earlier directives for her removal.
The Health Minister confirmed that the newly reconstituted council would meet next week with this issue as its first agenda item. All previously engaged legal representatives have been disengaged and the ministry was directed to resolve all pending PNMC cases within a week.
Further discussions covered Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) oversight mechanisms, pharmacy referral practices near federal hospitals and the transfer of the 200-bed TB hospital to the Punjab government.
