NA Committee Urges Immediate Reforms in MDCAT, Medical Admissions

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination on Thursday called for urgent reforms to address growing concerns over the validity of Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) results.

Chaired by MNA Mahesh Kumar Malani, the panel reviewed critical issues including PMDC regulations, rising vacant seats in MBBS and BDS programs, IBCC equivalency concerns, and governance challenges in the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC).

Members expressed strong reservations over the three-year validity of MDCAT results, noting that inconsistencies across exam years created an uneven playing field.

The Health Minister said current admissions could not be changed but promised to consider legislative amendments based on committee recommendations.

The committee also discussed growing vacant seats, largely caused by students shifting disciplines or institutions. Proposals to ban inter-college transfers and optimize waiting lists were reviewed.

The Health Minister directed PMDC, the Law Division, and university vice chancellors to produce a legally vetted plan within two days to prevent further seat wastage.

Concerns were also raised over IBCC’s equivalency formulas, especially affecting Cambridge-system students. The chair tasked members to personally engage with IBCC to develop a fair solution.

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Administrative irregularities in PNMC were highlighted, including the continued involvement of Ms. Yasmin Azad despite earlier removal directives.

The Health Minister confirmed the newly reconstituted PNMC would meet next week, and all pending matters must be resolved within one week.

Other discussions included DRAP oversight, pharmacy referral practices near federal hospitals, and the transfer of the 200-bed TB Hospital to the Punjab government.