ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services on Tuesday expressed grave concerns regarding the overcharging of fees by private medical and dental colleges.

The meeting was chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti and attended by Senators Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Syed Masroor Ahsan, Rubina Khalid, Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan, Rahat Jamali, Sarmad Ali, Dilawar Khan and Agha Shahzaib Durrani. Senator Jan Muhammad participated as a Special Invitee, while Senator Hidayatullah Khan attended as the mover of the point of public importance.

The chairman highlighted complaints regarding overcharging of admission fees beyond the prescribed capped limit of Rs1.8 million and directed PMDC to take strict action against any violations. The panel further urged the ministry to explore measures for increasing the overall number of medical seats in the country.

The body examined the centralised admission policy for private medical colleges. Expressing concern over the existing 50 per cent weightage assigned to the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), members termed it disproportionate and called for a thorough review of the current admission scheme. The committee urged the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to reassess the structure and rationale of MDCAT and align it with international best practices.

Senator Chishti also directed PMDC to consider reducing the MDCAT weightage to 33 per cent, assigning 10pc to interview and 57pc to matric and FSc, and present a detailed, evidence-based briefing on the matter in the next meeting.

The issue of licensing for foreign-qualified doctors was also discussed. The chairman of the committee directed PMDC to facilitate qualified doctors who have successfully cleared the National Registration Examination (NRE) in accordance with the prescribed requirements for the grant of medical licenses.

Additionally, the committee took up the matter concerning the alleged arbitrary selection by the University of Health Sciences (UHS) of students from Balochistan under the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Program, instead of those selected through the prescribed process by HEC and PMDC. The Chairman directed PMDC to examine the matter and ensure its prompt resolution thoroughly.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2026