ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) President Prof Dr Rizwan Taj has directed all universities to take complete measures to ensure that the upcoming Medical and Dental Colleges’ Admission Test (MDCAT) is conducted transparently.

MDCAT for the year 2024 is scheduled to take place on September 22 as per the PMDC Act 2022.

In a statement, Dr Taj emphasised the importance of maintaining the integrity of MDCAT and ensuring that all students have a fair opportunity to showcase their abilities.

The responsibility of conducting MDCAT has been entrusted to public universities across the country. The institutions which have been nominated by the relevant provincial and regional authorities to oversee the examination process are: University of Health Sciences, Lahore (Punjab); Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi (Sindh); Khyber Medical University, Peshawar (KP); Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences, Quetta (Balochistan); Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad (ICT, AJK), and Karakuram International University Gilgit (GB).

The PMDC president has nominated council members to monitor and ensure smooth conduct of MDCAT in their respective provinces with Prof Khalid Masood Gondal overseeing Punjab, Prof Dr Amjad Siraj for Sindh, Prof Dr Mohammad Zubair Khan for KP, Prof Dr Tahmina Asad for Balochistan and Barrister Sultan Mansoor for Islamabad.

A total of 174,744 applications were received from which after scrutiny the PMDC finalised 167,077 applications.

The president directed universities to implement strict security protocols, including the use of biometric identification and surveillance cameras and jammers to prevent any instances of cheating or malpractice during the exam.

He urged universities to provide adequate resources and training to exam proctors and staff to ensure that they are equipped to effectively monitor and enforce exam regulations.

Prof Rizwan also urged students to uphold integrity and honesty during the exam, reporting any instances of cheating or malpractice, and emphasise the importance of maintaining the exam’s credibility to ensure deserving students have the opportunity to pursue careers in the medical and dental fields.

Meanwhile, Coordinator to Prime Minister on Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, while chairing a meeting, also directed stakeholders to ensure transparency in the entry test. He made it clear that any leakage of examination papers would not be tolerated.

He emphasised that following meetings with relevant stakeholders, the PMDC was required to inform the ministry of health in writing. Additionally, applications for the registration of new colleges received by the health ministry must be processed within a week.

He stressed the need to elevate Pakistan’s medical education to high standards to attract foreign students.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2024