NA body urges swift reforms on MDCAT results’ validity

ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP): The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination on Thursday has called for urgent reforms to address growing concerns over the validity of the results of Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT).
The meeting of the Committee which was chaired by Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, MNA, reviewed critical issues related to Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) regulations, the validity of MDCAT results, the rising number of vacant medical and dental seats, Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) equivalency concerns and governance challenges within the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC).
The members of the Committee voiced strong reservations regarding the three-year validity of MDCAT results, arguing that differing exam standards across years were creating an uneven playing field for applicants.
They noted that both current and previous-year candidates had approached courts for relief.
The Minister of Health informed the Committee that admissions for the ongoing cycle could not be altered but assured members that the Ministry would consider legislative amendments once formally recommended by the Committee.
The Committee also scrutinized the growing number of vacant seats in MBBS and BDS programs, largely attributed to students shifting between disciplines or institutions. Proposals from university vice chancellors and provincial representatives—including banning inter-college transfers and optimally utilizing waiting lists—were reviewed.
The minister directed PMDC, the Law Division and Vice Chancellors to jointly produce a legally vetted plan within two days to prevent further seat wastage.
The members highlighted long-standing inconsistencies in IBCC’s equivalency formulas, particularly disparities faced by Cambridge-system students compared to local board candidates.
The Chair tasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Education and several committee members to personally engage with 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 convene next week, with this issue as its first agenda item. All previously engaged legal representatives have been disengaged, and the Ministry was instructed to resolve all pending PNMC matters within one week.
Further discussions covered Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) oversight mechanisms, pharmacy referral practices near federal hospitals and the transition of the 200-bed TB Hospital to the Punjab government.
The DRAP was directed to present a detailed report at the next meeting, while the Ministry must finalize a transition plan with Punjab authorities before handing over the facility.