The Senate Standing Committee on National Health reviewed preparations for MDCAT 2026, with Committee Chairperson Senator Anusha Rahman expressing strong displeasure over the absence of the Health Secretary during the meeting.
She directed officials to immediately connect the Health Secretary through an online link, noting that the secretary is also a member of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and should be present during discussions on such an important matter.
During the meeting, Senator Anusha Rahman raised concerns about the gap between the FSc education system and the MDCAT examination format. She argued that FSc largely relies on rote learning, whereas MDCAT evaluates students through a different assessment approach, creating unnecessary challenges for candidates.
Illustrating her point, she remarked, "If students are taught how to cook biryani but are tested on pulao, the result will naturally be biryani." She emphasized the need for better alignment between classroom teaching and the entrance examination.
The committee also discussed data presented by the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) regarding approximately 3,700 annual admissions to medical colleges. Senator Rahman questioned the accuracy of the figures, stating that she did not consider the data reliable.
The committee stressed the importance of greater transparency in the MDCAT examination process, admission policies, and official data to ensure fairness and equal opportunities for aspiring medical students.
