The Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) was informed here on Thursday that nearly 98 percent of medical seats had been filled, following detailed deliberations and coordinated efforts by the Ministry, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), and the Committee.
The Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) met under the Chairmanship of Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, MNA, to deliberate upon key issues concerning medical education, public health challenges and regulatory reforms.
The committe was brieded that the step benefited around 1,000 students out of approximately 1100 vacant seats which remained vacant despite extended deadlines.
The committee took up the agenda regarding the PMDC and the Ministry’s revised policy for conducting future MDCAT examinations. It was apprised that MDCAT examinations would be conducted soon after the conclusion of all FSC Boards and Cambridge examinations across the country, in order to avoid delays.
The Chairman directed the Ministry and PMDC to finalize and announce the schedule well in advance so that students nationwide could prepare accordingly. The Committee also sought a comprehensive update on vacant seats, seat allocation, and student admissions.
As, it was informed that nearly 98 percent of seats had been filled, the committee appreciated the efforts of ministry of NHSR&C and the PMDC for effectively addressing the issue and ensuring optimal utilization of available seats.
The committee expressed serious concern over reported deaths, including suicide cases, in medical colleges, particularly in Punjab and Mirpur Khas.
The ministry was directed to submit a detailed report on such incidents over the past years and to ensure that thorough inquiries would be conducted and corrective measures implemented to avert any such incident in future.
The issue of rising HIV cases in Pakistan and Taunsa Tehsil were also highlighted and the committee members were informed that 331 cases had been reported. The committee termed the situation alarming and directed that a detailed briefing be presented in the next meeting, including information on global funding allocations and their utilization.
The committee also directed the ministry to strengthen its inspection mechanisms and to take provincial departments on board before finalizing key policies.
The committee also discussed the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council Ordinance, 2025 and recommended that the bill would be passed after necessary amendments by the committee.
The meeting was attended by Members National Assembly Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Dr. Shaista Khan, Dr. Nikhat Shakeel Khan, Ms. Aliya Kamran, Dr. Darshan, Ms. Sabheen Ghoury, Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz and Ch. Muhammad Shahbaz Babar (virtually).
The Minister for National Health, senior officials from the ministry of NHSR&C, the PMDC, and the ministry of Law and Justice and its attached departments were also present in the meeting.