Senate Committee calls for MDCAT reform

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Ministry of Health has instructed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to abolish the Medical & Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) following complaints of irregularities.

The Senate Standing Committee on Health has also raised concerns about these irregularities. Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, representing the National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, announced plans to replace the MDCAT with an IT-based international testing system starting next year.

Dr. Mukhtar highlighted that a powerful mafia has attempted to influence the MDCAT for years, with coaching academies generating billions in revenue and exerting pressure on the examination process. Senate Standing Committee Chairman Aamir Chishti supported the decision to scrap the MDCAT, suggesting a shift to an online format similar to the American SAT or Cambridge assessments.

During his briefing, Dr. Mukhtar stated that the Intelligence Bureau found no evidence of a paper leak for this year's MDCAT.