Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced major healthcare reforms, including new policies for medical education and treatment facilities across the province. She stressed that every poor patient should receive free treatment at any hospital, and no cancer patient should be denied care due to financial issues.
New Admission Policy for Medical Colleges
During a meeting on health sector reforms, the government approved a revised admission policy for both public and private institutions. Passing the MDCAT will now be compulsory for admission to government medical and dental colleges in Punjab.
For children of overseas Pakistanis, a $10,000 fee has been fixed for appearing in the MDCAT. Candidates selected for private colleges must deposit one-third of their fee with the University of Health Sciences (UHS). This amount will later be transferred to the relevant college once the final merit list is issued. Students will then pay the remaining fee directly to their respective colleges.
Compulsory Service and Specialization Policy
The meeting also approved compulsory service for trainee doctors after postgraduate training. As part of the plan, doctors will be assigned to specialized departments in private medical colleges, based on the demand for specialists in different fields.
Healthcare Expansion and Achievements
Maryam Nawaz directed that new medical blocks should be constructed within government universities instead of building new colleges, saving costs and resources. She praised recent achievements, including the first angioplasty in Sahiwal and the start of surgeries at the Sahiwal Cardiac Center. She also instructed Mayo Hospital to develop transparent procedures for treatment at the coablation center.
Relief for Patients
The Chief Minister highlighted that cancer patients must be treated at all costs, and poor families should have access to free treatment across Punjab. She also approved boards of management for several institutions and emphasized the early establishment of Nawaz Sharif Medical City.
The introduction of MDCAT as a compulsory requirement marks a significant step toward standardizing medical education in Punjab while ensuring healthcare accessibility for all citizens.
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