Senate Grills PMC over MDCAT Controversy, Illegal Funding

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) was recently questioned by the Members of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services (NHS) regarding their Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) that had garnered controversy over the past month. 

Mohammad Hamayun Mohmand, a Senator from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, observed the meeting held in a committee room of the Parliament House. 

Prof. Dr Mehr Taj Roghani, another Senator, assured that while she had no doubts about PMC’s intent regarding the matter, she did question the procedure they had employed.

“The MDCAT had questions from outside the outlined syllabus, and to make up for that oversight, the PMC promised additional marks. What I want to know are the criteria under which these additional marks were allotted,” Senator Roghani queried. She further added that if PMC had wanted to change the system properly, they should’ve done it organically instead of overhauling it with no prior warning.

Dr Arshad Taqi, President of the PMC, earlier said they had made sure students had information regarding healthcare colleges available.

“We intended to ensure that students were entering the MDCAT to get into medical school and not just pass an exam. The exam was computer-based. No student can complain that they didn’t prepare for the topic beforehand. The court had allowed a single test per student and an additional test for those afflicted with COVID-19 at the time. MDCAT was at an international standard,” he assured.

However, Rubina Khalid Pakistan, a Senator from the Peoples Party (PPP), differed from PMC’s presentation and said that the commission readily admitted that there were flaws in the test, which showcased why these ‘additional marks’ were allotted in the first place. She emphasized the importance of merit as those with lower socioeconomic standing can only become doctors through it.

Sardar Mohammad Shafiq, a Senator with the Tareen Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, probed the MDCAT regarding the private contractor they had hired for the test and complained about the Rs 6000 per student fee charged for sitting in the test.

The committee chairman stated that an MDCAT held on different dates instead of a universal date was problematic. Still, the PMC president argued that since the court’s matter, the committee should await hearing from them first.

The Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registered the private company that arranged the test after the final bid date had passed. This fact looks more suspicious considering new allegations against the PMC releasing advance payment of over Rs115 million towards the said company.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) had implemented a ban on PMC giving more funds to the company on August 27th, but on August 31st, the PMC paid another Rs86 million to the company. The matter was then redirected to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) for further investigation, who reported that rules were violated in the method the PMC had awarded the private company the MDCAT contract. Against PMC stance, PPRA also confirmed that the money received from candidates were public funds.

The MDCAT, conducted in 22 Pakistani cities and six international locations, had 202,065 students registered for the exam. Out of which, 194,108 students went through with the test over 30 days.