A subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services has urged the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to revamp the country’s medical education system and align it with international standards.
The committee, chaired by Senator Anusha Rahman, reviewed the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) and the national admission policy. PMDC officials told lawmakers they had introduced a syllabus covering common topics in FSc and A-Level courses, which reduced syllabus-related complaints.
The committee directed the council to submit detailed feedback on its question bank and stakeholder consultation process. The panel also criticized a newspaper advertisement that incorrectly suggested MDCAT was mandatory for all students seeking admission to foreign medical universities.
PMDC officials clarified that the requirement applies only to certain foreign institutions. The committee ordered the council to issue a public clarification immediately and questioned why no action had been taken against those responsible for the misleading advertisement.
Lawmakers also asked the PMDC to explain the policy requiring students going abroad for medical education to register with the council, arguing that the focus should be on discouraging admissions to substandard institutions rather than imposing unnecessary requirements.
The committee further highlighted the shortage of medical seats, noting that more than 113,000 students qualified in the 2024 MDCAT, but only 22,300 seats were available in medical colleges.
Get the latest education news, admissions updates, and scholarship alerts wherever you prefer.
Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.