NA standing committee directs to make MDCAT results valid for three years

ISLAMABAD: The Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, directed the Federal Minister for Health on Wednesday to implement a policy making the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) score effective for three years.

Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani chaired a committee meeting today, which was attended by Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, senior officials from the health ministry, representatives of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), and vice-chancellors of private medical universities.

The committee deliberated on extending the validity of MDCAT scores to three years, leading the chairman to direct the health minister to execute the decision.

During the meeting, the chairman also called for a two-year inspection report on private medical colleges, questioning how these inspections are conducted and what legal action has been taken against non-compliant institutions.

Vice-chancellors from various universities briefed the committee on the MDCAT examination process.

A proposal was submitted to provide candidates with questionnaire during the next MDCAT, which the chairman directed the authorities to implement.

Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal briefed the committee on financial matters, stating that 65 private institutions informed the PMDC of high operational expenditures, while 35 institutions provided detailed breakdowns of their costs.

He added that 35 medical colleges were subsequently permitted to charge annual tuition fees ranging from Rs 1.8 million to Rs 2.1 million.

The minister further informed the panel that several stay orders previously granted by courts regarding medical education fees have now expired.

During the proceedings, the chairman expressed concern over the frequent transfer and replacement of secretaries within the health ministry.

In response, Syed Mustafa Kamal noted that he shared the committee’s concern on the issue.