Punjab govt approves new policy for medical admissions

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has given the approval of admission policy for public and private medical and dental colleges of Punjab.

Under the new rules, candidates must pass the MDCAT exam to secure admission in government institutions, while the fee for overseas Pakistanis’ children has been set at 10000 dollars. For private colleges, the process has also been revised. Once a candidate’s name appears on the merit list, one-third of the tuition fee will be deposited with the University of Health Sciences (UHS). After the final merit list is issued, UHS will transfer the funds to the relevant college, and students will then pay the remaining dues directly to the institution.

The cabinet also approved steps to increase the number of specialists in Punjab. Trainee doctors completing postgraduate training in private hospitals will now be sent for specialization in relevant departments of private colleges to meet the rising demand. Maryam Nawaz praised the first successful angioplasty at Sahiwal Cardiac Centre, calling it a landmark achievement for the region. She instructed officials at Mayo Hospital to ensure transparent procedures for patient care at the Ablation Centre and emphasized giving priority to cancer patients.

It was further decided that instead of constructing new standalone medical colleges, medical blocks will be set up within public universities to strengthen existing institutions. The Chief Minister also ordered speedy work on Nawaz Sharif Medical City, reiterating her commitment to expand healthcare facilities and provide accessible treatment for all patients, especially those suffering from cancer. These reforms mark a significant step toward improving healthcare and medical education, ensuring merit-based admissions and advanced treatment facilities across Punjab.