The Health Department is unlikely to implement Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s (PMDC) decision to reserve 50 per cent seats in medical colleges for boys for the 2014-2015 session, The Express Tribune has learnt.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif constituted a committee on Saturday to discuss the September 18 PMDC letter notifying that 50 per cent seats must be kept for each gender at co-ed colleges.
The committee consists of principals of public medical colleges, vice chancellors (VCs) of the King Edward Medical University (KEMU) and the University of Health Sciences, the health secretary and the advocate general.
Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique will chair the committee.
“The decision regarding the PMDC letter will be taken in consultation with experts. However, the decision will not be applicable this year,” a Health Department official told The Express Tribune.
“The admission process this year has already started,” said the official requesting anonymity.
He said there were legal, social, political and professional implications to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council notification.
He said the Supreme Court had observed that no citizen could be discriminated against on the basis of their gender.
“Socially, many people want their daughters to become doctors. If a law limits the number of seats for them, some girls may be extremely disappointed.”
“Lady doctors are already in short supply. Their strength will decrease further.”
Fatima Jinnah Medical College is the only women-only medical college in the Punjab.
“There are 253 seats available at the college. The ratio of female students at other medical colleges in the Punjab is around 68 per cent. The merit for boys will go down and up for girls if the new policy is implemented.”
“The government forms the admission policy… the admission process for this year has already stared. The results of entry test have been declared,” a spokesman for the University of Health Sciences said.
Additional Health Secretary (Technical) Salman Shahid said the committee formed by the chief minister would resolve the matter.
Chief Minister’s Adviser Rafique said the advocate general would guide the committee about legal implications of the PMDC notification.
“The committee will try to arrive at a consensus. The decision will, however, not be applicable this year,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 28th, 2014.
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