THE indefinite delay in conducting the MDCAT — the national admission test for medical and dental colleges — on account of the flood situation is likely to disrupt the plans of thousands of aspiring students. The federal health minister announced earlier this week that the medical entry tests had been put off and a new date would be announced after consultation with the provinces. It has also been decided to reduce the pass percentage required for admission to medical colleges. From now on, only 45pc and 55pc pass marks would be required in MDCAT for admission to BDS and MBBS programmes, respectively. While the countrywide destruction caused by the floods may be a cogent reason to delay the test, the postponement will nevertheless disrupt the academic cycles of medical colleges and postgraduate medical and dental training in the country. This is why the authorities should make alternative arrangements for conducting the admission test soon so that students do not lose precious time and can make their academic plans accordingly.

At the other end, the lowering of the admission percentage for medical and dental colleges raises serious questions about the credibility and proficiency of the medical education sector. The field of medicine is a highly demanding one, with clinical knowledge and diagnostic training rooted in academic proficiency. Over the years, several experts have been raising serious concerns regarding the deficient clinical training of graduating doctors in the country. Given this backdrop, lowering the standards of merit for admission to medical colleges would further jeopardise the professional credentials of upcoming doctors. This is not the way. What is required, instead, is a determined effort to improve the overall standard of education from Intermediate to medical college level. Flooding medical colleges with students whose academic performance has been subpar may produce a greater number of doctors and dentists but will do nothing to promote quality standards. Healthcare in the country is already defective; lowering admission criteria is a sure shot recipe for greater disaster in the medical sector.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2022