Lahore: Under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, an important meeting approved a new policy regarding admissions to medical and dental colleges. The aim of the policy is to ensure transparency in medical education and enhance the effectiveness of the healthcare system.
According to the new policy, passing the MDCAT test has been made mandatory for admission to public medical colleges. For children of overseas Pakistanis, a fee of $10,000 has been set, and they will also be admitted based on MDCAT scores.
As per the policy, students seeking admission to private medical and dental colleges will initially deposit one-third of the fee with the University of Health Sciences (UHS). After the final merit list is released, UHS will transfer this amount to the respective colleges. The remaining fee will be paid directly by the students to the colleges. This measure aims to ensure transparency in fee collection.
The meeting also decided to introduce mandatory service after postgraduate training in private hospitals, in order to address the shortage of specialist doctors. Trainee doctors will also be provided training for specialization in private institutions.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed satisfaction over the first successful angioplasty in Sahiwal and appreciated the launch of cardiac surgery services there. She also directed that a transparent process be established for the setting up of an Ablation Center at Mayo Hospital.
Clear instructions were issued by the Chief Minister to ensure free treatment for poor cancer patients in all government hospitals across Punjab so that no patient faces financial barriers.
It was decided in the meeting that instead of constructing separate buildings for new medical colleges, medical blocks will be established within existing public universities. In addition, the Boards of Management for various institutions were also approved.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also instructed to accelerate all necessary steps for the early establishment of “Nawaz Sharif Medical City”, stating that this project will be a milestone in providing healthcare facilities to the people of Punjab.
