LAHORE: Entrance test for public and private medical colleges of Punjab is being simultaneously held on Sunday (today) under the auspices of University of Health Sciences in 13 cities.

Many senior bureaucrats have been assigned duties to supervise the tests. These include provincial secretaries, Board of Revenue members, divisional commissioners, district coordination officers and Services and General Administration Department members (inquiries).

These officers will support senior medical professors who will conduct the test and report to the Punjab additional chief secretary after completion of the exercise. The test is being held at 25 centres established in 13 cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, Gujrat, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Dera Ghazi Khan and Hasanabdal.

Six of the centres have been set up in Lahore at examination halls of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Lawrence Road; Punjab University, Wahdat Road; Government Comprehensive Girls High School, Wahdat Road; Government Pilot High School, Wahdat Road; University of Education, Lower Mall and Government Central Model School, Lower Mall.

Out of the total 45,000 candidates taking the test, over 13,000 are appearing in Lahore. This year, candidates will compete for 3,405 MBBS seats in 17 public sector medical colleges and 216 BDS seats in three public dental colleges of the province. Besides, there are around 3,000 MBBS seats available in 28 private medical colleges and 700 BDS seats in 12 private dental colleges of Punjab.

Walkthrough gates and mobile jammers have been installed at each centre. Restrictions have been imposed under Section 144 on the entry of unauthorised persons in the examination centre premises. The government has provided facilities of waiting areas, drinking water and toilets near examination centres for parents and other attendants of candidates.

Traffic police have been directed to make special parking arrangements to ensure smooth flow of traffic near the centres.

According to regulations of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, it is mandatory for a candidate to appear in the provincial entrance test conducted by UHS for admission to any public or private medical/dental college of Punjab. So the candidates seeking admission to private medical colleges will also have to appear in the UHS entrance test.

SAHIWAL: All necessary arrangements for holding entrance test for admission to medical and dental colleges of Punjab at the Government Post Graduate College premises have been completed.

From the total 2,281 candidates, 1,534 are girls and 747 boys. A joint meeting of University of Health Sciences, Lahore, local college administration and district government was convened to make final arrangements.

DCO Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chohan confirmed that the Tehsil Municipal Administration has been given responsibility to make arrangements, including provision of chairs, tents, cold water and pedestal fans.

Candidates along with their parents or guardians are expected arrive for the test from four surrounding districts, including Okara, Pakpattan, Vehari and Bahwalnagar.

GPGC Principal Prof. Dr. Khalid Farooq said 45 classrooms and college main hall had already been allocated for entry test.

Dawn learnt from sources that to complete all arrangements the college was closed for all kind of academic activities from Aug 27 to Sept 2.

“Over 150 local college teachers are appointed as invigilators and superintendents,” said Sarfaraz Goraya, the focal person.

Special security arrangements have been made and walkthrough gates installed. More than 1,000 police personnel will provide security and control traffic.

Published in Dawn, August 31th, 2014