Islamabad: The Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination met on Friday to discuss various issues related to the 2024 MDCAT examinations, including irregularities and the need for clearer policies and fairness in medical education admissions.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the committee chaired by Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, highlighted serious concerns with the recent MDCAT exams, including reported paper leaks and a lack of clear eligibility criteria, which has led to significant confusion and stress among students. Members were particularly alarmed to learn that contrary to popular belief, there was no set minimum percentage required to sit the examination, calling into question the integrity of the admission process.

The committee also addressed the financial barriers imposed by private medical colleges, emphasizing the need to reevaluate fee structures to make medical education more attainable for students from all economic backgrounds. Discussions included the adoption of new models for future exams, such as the use of smart gadgets and a unified paper pattern to ensure consistency and fairness across examination centers.

In addition to examination issues, the committee noted delays in online registration for doctors, attributing them to the need for verification from multiple sources. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) outlined measures to expedite the process, including assigning focal persons to departments to address the backlog.

The meeting saw attendance from multiple members of the National Assembly, both in-person and virtually, indicating a robust dialogue aimed at reforming the MDCAT examination system to restore public trust and ensure transparency in medical admissions.