NA panel concerned over irregularities in MDCAT

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Health on Friday expressed its displeasure over irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) and summoned full report on the matter.

During a committee meeting, chaired by its chairman Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, the health ministry officials said a new model for conducting MDCAT examinations was being planned, which included the use of smart gadgets to ensure transparency.

The committee discusses various matters, including MDCAT exams, fee structure at private colleges and other related matters. Committee member Saben Ghori of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) raised the issue of irregularities in MDCAT exams in Sindh

Ghori highlighted reports of a paper leak and pointed out that 16 out-of-syllabus questions were included in the exam.

She also questioned the conduct of examination at the Dow Medical University and urged the committee to summon Dow University vice chancellor.

The committee was informed that there were no eligibility criteria and no merit for taking the MDCAT. The members expressed their displeasure with the irregularities. They said that questions would be raised on the transparency of every examination without merit.

The committee also discussed the rising fees and financial burdens of obtaining a degree from private medical colleges.

The committee stressed the need for reviewing the fee structure of public and private medical colleges to make medical education accessible to students from low-income families.

The committee also took notice of the delay in the process of online registration of doctors. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) President Dr Rizwan Taj explained that the current backlog was due to the verification process.