Islamabad: The Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination convened at the Parliament House in Islamabad under the leadership of Senator Anusha Rahman Ahmed Khan. The meeting focused on reviewing the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) and addressing the national policy framework for medical students.

According to the Senate of Pakistan, the session was attended by Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Health and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC). PM&DC officials assured the committee that a consensual syllabus had been established, reducing complaints related to syllabus discrepancies in the previous year. Senator Anusha Rahman directed the PM&DC to provide comprehensive feedback on the question bank and the stakeholder consultation process to validate these claims.

During the meeting, the PM&DC elaborated on the global standards of Multiple Choice Question (MCQ)-based tests for content validity assessment. The committee emphasized the need to align national educational programs with international best practices. Additionally, the sub-committee addressed issues concerning a misleading newspaper advertisement that mandated MDCAT for foreign medical admissions, which contradicted government policy. The committee called for a clarification to be published prominently in national newspapers to prevent unnecessary stress on students.

The sub-committee also highlighted challenges faced by students who pass the MDCAT but are unable to secure medical seats due to limited availability. In 2024, over 168,000 students appeared for the MDCAT, with more than 113,000 qualifying, but only 22,300 seats were available. The committee urged the PM&DC to propose solutions to address the demand-supply gap, suggesting public-private partnerships, scholarship programs, and educational loans to support aspiring doctors. Recommendations based on the last five years of MDCAT data and international demand for doctors were requested to be included in the sub-committee’s report for the main committee’s review.