ISLAMABAD: While 1.7 million people were vaccinated against Covid-19 in two days, federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar called on Monday for maintaining the vaccination rate in all parts of the country.

In another development, the Punjab government, during its reach every door (RED) campaign, has vaccinated 12.5 million people in just 16 days.

According to a statement of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the forum was apprised of the ongoing countrywide obligatory vaccine drive.

“During last 48 hours 1.7 million vaccines were administered across the country. The forum was informed that vaccination for 12-15 years students will remain suspended till 27th November due to ongoing Measles, Rubella (MR) campaign nationwide,” it stated.

Less than 7pc pass percentage recorded as PMC announces licensing exam result

Mr Umar appreciated efforts of all institutions involved in vaccination in every city. The NCOC praised the cities which managed to vaccinate more than 50pc of their population.

He stressed the need for maintaining the vaccination rate.

The forum emphasised the need for stepping up administration of the second dose to eligible individuals to sufficiently raise the immunity level.

The minister appreciated the performance of the Punjab government which vaccinated over 12 million people over the last two weeks.

“Congratulations to @DrYasminRashid, chief secretary & Punjab health team, for highly successful reach every door (RED) campaign. In just 16 days more than 1.25 crore people were vaccinated. There were 22 thousand people involved in carrying out this massive campaign,” he tweeted.

The data of NCOC stated that six patients died from coronavirus over the last 24 hours and 240 people were infected. The number of active cases was 22,791, out of which 1,158 patients were admitted to hospitals across the country.

NLE result

In a separate development, the Pakistan Medial Commission (PMC) announced the results of the National Licensing Exam (NLE) on Monday. The pass percentage was under seven per cent. The results of Multan centre were withheld due to “discrepancies”.

A total of 1,012 foreign students also appeared in the NLE Step 2 (Medical) examinations, held from Oct 29 to 31. The results of 149 students who appeared at the Multan centre were withheld. The pass percentage for the exam was 6.95pc.

The NLE exam has been introduced for medical graduates and it is compulsory for all candidates to clear the exam before starting practice.

“The low pass percentage of the current result unfortunately represents the lack of clinical skills training in some foreign colleges. The PMC has consistently shared its concern in the past over the lack of clinical training of foreign graduates from certain countries. This concern has now been confirmed by the outcome of the NLE Step 2 (Medical) result,” the PMC said.

“Two of the key issues highlighted during assessments carried out by the Authority are non-availability of sufficient hospitals and patient flow necessary for clinical training of foreign students in these countries and the language barrier which exists at local hospitals and among health care professionals who are expected to impart clinical education.

This ultimately results in foreign students not undertaking proper and mandatory clinical training at these colleges and hospitals. Many of the foreign colleges have been offering and marketing MBBS programmes as foreign programmes rather than offering the locally recognised medical programme in that country.

These colleges cater primarily for students from countries like Pakistan to provide them with a medical degree which they can take back to their home country for seeking a medical licence.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2021