The chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, has directed the federal health minister to implement a policy making Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) scores valid for three years. The direction was given on Wednesday.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, senior health ministry officials, representatives of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and vice-chancellors of private medical universities. The committee discussed extending the validity of MDCAT scores, and the chairman directed the minister to carry out the decision.
MDCAT validity and changes to the next test
Vice-chancellors from several universities briefed the committee on how the MDCAT examination is conducted. A proposal was also submitted to give candidates a questionnaire during the next MDCAT, and the chairman directed the authorities to implement it.
Private college fees, inspections and court orders
The chairman called for a two-year inspection report on private medical colleges. He questioned how these inspections are carried out and what legal action has been taken against institutions that do not comply.
Mustafa Kamal told the panel that 65 private institutions had informed the PMDC of high operating costs, while 35 provided detailed cost breakdowns. He said 35 medical colleges were then allowed to charge annual tuition fees of Rs 1.8 million to Rs 2.1 million. He also said several court stay orders on medical education fees had expired.
The chairman expressed concern over frequent transfers and replacements of secretaries in the health ministry. Mustafa Kamal said he shared the committee’s concern on the issue.
