PMA rejects 4% merit increase in medical admissions, calls for an end to MDCAT

The Pakistan Medical Association (Centre) has expressed grave concern over the unprecedented 4% increase in admission merit for government medical colleges in Punjab. 

In an emergent meeting of the association on Friday at the PMA House in Lahore, chaired by its central president, Dr Izhar Ahmed Chaudhry, the participants outrightly rejected this hike, terming it a deviation from the past trend of minor adjustments, which usually ranged between 0.5% to 1%. 

 The meeting was attended by key representatives, including Punjab President Dr Kamran Saeed, Lahore President Prof Shahid Malik, General Secretary Dr Wajid Ali, Prof Ashraf Nizami, Dr Nadir Khan, Dr Aleem Nawaz, Dr Riaz Zulqarnain, Dr Bushra Haq and Dr Iram Shahzadi.

The PMA (Centre) president Dr Izhar Chaudhry raised serious questions about the fairness of the entry test system, suggesting that such a significant change undermines its credibility.

The association office-bearers were of the view that the sudden rise in merit unjustifiably affected hardworking, deserving, and underprivileged students. “These students, who come from modest backgrounds, have reportedly fallen victim to what the PMA has called an "unjust system" of entry tests.”

 Many students and their families are said to be experiencing immense mental distress and disappointment due to this perceived injustice, they added. 

They further emphasized that implementing this decision without a detailed audit would amount to depriving top-performing students and position holders of their rightful opportunities.

The PMA also criticized the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) system for its alleged lack of transparency. 

The association highlighted a history of mismanagement, corruption, and irregularities in the MDCAT exams over the years, which had eroded public confidence.  

It stated that authorities have consistently failed to ensure the integrity of the testing process, leading to widespread mistrust among students and parents.

 In a strong appeal to the federal government, the National Assembly, and the Senate's Standing Committee on Health, the PMA office bears called for the immediate abolition of the entry test system. 

It had recommended that admissions to medical colleges should be based solely on academic performance. 

The association also demanded permanent measures to protect students from the influence of private academy mafias, which it claims exploit the current system.

The PMA further added that the entry test system, in its current form, is a source of injustice and is failing to recognize the efforts of deserving students. The association urged educational authorities and the government to ensure merit-based admissions and safeguard the future of the nation’s brightest young minds.