Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved major reforms in Punjab’s healthcare and medical education system, including a new admission policy for government and private medical colleges.

From now on, passing the MDCAT test will be compulsory for admission to government medical colleges. For the children of overseas Pakistanis, a $10,000 fee will be charged for the MDCAT exam.

Key Policy Changes:

• Students applying to private medical colleges must deposit one-third of their fees with the University of Health Sciences (UHS) before the final merit list. The remaining fee will be paid directly to the college after final selection.
• A new compulsory service policy will send trainee doctors to private hospitals after their postgraduate training. Specializations will be assigned based on demand.
• Instead of building new medical college campuses, medical blocks will be established within existing government universities to save costs.

Healthcare Relief:

Maryam Nawaz stressed that all poor patients, including cancer patients, must receive free treatment in hospitals across Punjab.

She directed that no patient should be denied care due to financial issues.

She also praised recent achievements, including the first successful angioplasty in Sahiwal and new surgeries at the Sahiwal Cardiac Center.

Mayo Hospital has been instructed to improve transparency in its procedures.

Future Plans:

Boards of management will be formed for key medical institutions, and work will begin on the Nawaz Sharif Medical City.

This decision marks a major shift in Punjab’s medical education system. By making MDCAT mandatory, the government aims to standardize entry into medical colleges and improve merit-based admissions.

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The $10,000 fee for overseas Pakistanis is controversial and may spark debate, as it could be seen as restrictive for expatriate families.

On the healthcare side, Maryam Nawaz’s commitment to free treatment for cancer and poor patients highlights a pro-poor approach in Punjab’s health reforms.

Cost-saving measures like medical blocks instead of new colleges show a practical strategy for expansion.

Overall, the reforms balance quality education, healthcare access, and financial efficiency.