The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR and C) convened on Monday at Parliament House in Islamabad, chaired by Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, MNA, to address pressing issues within the medical education sector. The committee expressed strong disapproval of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s (PMDC) handling of several critical matters.
The committee voiced serious displeasure over the absence of Isra University’s Vice Chancellor, highlighting the precarious situation faced by numerous medical students. While the PMDC and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (M/O NHSR and C) claimed an amicable resolution to the Isra University student issue, the committee insisted on facilitating these students in securing house jobs, emphasizing the undue delays caused by procedural obstacles. The PMDC President pledged full support to the students in this matter.
Addressing the complaints of foreign students from Kyrgyzstan, the committee mandated the PMDC to issue a formal circular on Monday, directing the Council to convene a meeting within three days to resolve the issue by granting provisional licenses and allowing registration for the NRE without further postponement. Failure to comply would result in stringent measures against the PMDC.
The committee also scrutinized concerns regarding the non-promotion of officers cleared by FIA inquiries. The PMDC Registrar guaranteed prompt promotions following due process and personal hearings. The committee also condemned the disregard of court orders concerning the removal of the President of the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PN and MC), deeming it a grave offense and directing the Ministry of NHSR and C to take immediate corrective action.
Discussions on the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2025-26 included the weighting distribution between Matriculation, Intermediate, and MDCAT exams. Several members criticized alleged manipulation in board exams and advocated for increased MDCAT weightage to enhance transparency. A future in-person meeting with Provincial Health Departments, Education Boards, and Vice Chancellors was scheduled to finalize MDCAT reforms. Legislative amendments to shorten the MDCAT validity period from three years to one or two were also explored.
Finally, the committee offered prayers for recent flood victims, particularly in Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and urged DRAP and the Ministry of NHSR and C to collaborate with provincial health departments to ensure prompt delivery of emergency supplies and essential medications to affected communities. The meeting was attended by numerous MNAs and senior officers from the M/O NHSR and C and its affiliated departments.