The Executive Committee of the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) has recently exposed a major corruption scandal related to the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) conducted in 2022. The committee conducted a thorough investigation, gathering evidence and necessary documents to hold the responsible parties accountable and prevent future incidents. As a result of their findings, the matter will be referred to a third-party for an audit and further investigation, ensuring that all culprits face the consequences of their actions.
Investigation Unveils Irregularities in Payments
The PMDC Committee discovered several irregularities in the payments made during the previous tenure of the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC). These irregularities amount to millions of Rupees and include questionable payments to a private consortium before the signing of agreements, nebulous payments for IT equipment and software, among other discrepancies.
Anomalies in MDCAT-22 Payments
During their investigation, the PMDC Committee identified significant anomalies in the payments made during the previous tenure for the MDCAT-22, amounting to a staggering Rs. 409.32 million. This amount includes a payment of around Rs. 122 million made to a private consortium just one day before the signing of the agreements.
Violations of Procurement and Payment Procedures
The former PMC made an agreement worth Rs. 409.32 million on August 17, 2022, for the conduction of MDCAT Examination-22. Shockingly, an advance payment of Rs. 122.78 million, equivalent to 30% of the total amount, was made on August 6, 2022, before the execution of the agreement. This payment was made to a private consortium that was not registered with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) or the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). Moreover, the consortium did not meet the criteria of a government entity, and the agreement itself violated the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules.
Further Scrutiny Reveals Additional Scams
After careful scrutiny, the PMDC Committee uncovered another scam related to the procurement of network IT equipment, such as servers, switches, controllers, access points, firewalls, etc. The former PMC not only violated the PPRA rules in the procurement process but also installed software licenses in servers that were different from those mentioned in the tender documents. Additionally, the items delivered by the former PMC did not match the Bill of Quantities (BOQs) published in the tender document.
The investigation also revealed anomalies in the procurement of miscellaneous equipment, including cameras, network video recorders (NVR), uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and cables, among other items. These procurements were conducted in violation of PPRA rules, with the aim of providing financial favors to a favored company.
PMDC’s Commitment to Accountability
The Executive Committee of the PMDC, responsible for the financial and administrative affairs of the council, has taken these findings seriously and is determined to hold the culprits accountable for their actions. The committee members, consisting of eminent doctors, professors, surgeon generals, legal experts, auditors, and health secretaries from all provinces, assure the public that they are working diligently to improve the medical and dental profession in Pakistan. They have prioritized the achievement of WFME accreditation to ensure that Pakistani doctors and students face no obstacles internationally.
Motive to Undermine PMDC’s Work
The PMDC Committee acknowledges that a group of vested interests has launched a media campaign aimed at undermining and maligning the work of the PMDC. They refute the information shared and published by this group, emphasizing that it is baseless and does not align with the truth. The committee suspects that these malicious intentions aim to impede the progress of the current Council and disrupt the establishment of a strong relationship with the international medical community, particularly the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).
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Despite these challenges, the PMDC is determined to conduct the MDCAT 2023 examination on time. By collaborating with public sector medical and dental universities from all provinces, the council aims to bridge the gaps created by the previous PMC and ensure a smooth and efficient admission process for aspiring students.
The PMDC’s investigation into the corruption scandal surrounding MDCAT 2022 has shed light on several irregularities and violations of procurement and payment procedures. The council is resolute in its commitment to hold the responsible parties accountable and prevent such incidents in the future. By taking these actions, the PMDC strives to strengthen the medical and dental profession in Pakistan and establish a reputable position internationally.
