LAHORE: UHS has made the MDCAT mandatory for admission to four and five-year undergraduate degree programmes of Allied Health Sciences (AHS) in Punjab.
In Pakistan, the healthcare industry has been facing a significant shortage of trained healthcare professionals, which has been detrimental to the healthcare system. However, with the recent decision of the University of Health Sciences (UHS) to make the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) mandatory for admission to four and five-year undergraduate degree programmes of Allied Health Sciences (AHS) in Punjab, we can expect a positive change in the healthcare education system.
Allied Health Sciences (AHS) programs, such as BSc (Hons) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), are critical programs for producing trained healthcare professionals. Making MDCAT mandatory for admission to these programs is a positive step forward for the healthcare education system in Pakistan. MDCAT is a standardized test that evaluates a student’s knowledge and aptitude for the medical field. By making it mandatory for admission to AHS programs, UHS is ensuring that only the most competent students get selected for these programs.
The weightage criteria for admission to AHS programs are the same as those used for MBBS and BDS, which means that MDCAT will have a 50 percent weightage, while Intermediate and Matriculation marks will have a weightage of 40 percent and 10 percent, respectively. This criterion will ensure that students who have performed well in their previous academic years but have also scored high in MDCAT get selected for AHS programs.
The decision to make MDCAT mandatory for admission to AHS programs will ensure that the healthcare industry gets trained professionals who have a strong knowledge base and are competent enough to handle the challenges that come with the profession. The healthcare industry in Pakistan has been facing a severe shortage of trained professionals, and this decision will help bridge the gap between the demand and supply of healthcare professionals. This will, in turn, lead to an improvement in the healthcare system in Pakistan.
Furthermore, the decision to add English language proficiency courses such as IELTS to the curricula is also a welcome step. English language proficiency is essential for healthcare professionals who want to work abroad or work with foreign patients. By adding English language proficiency courses to the curricula, UHS is ensuring that students who want to pursue their careers in foreign countries have the necessary language skills to excel in their profession.
Read more: BSEK urges Section 144 around exam centres to prevent cheating
The decision to gradually shift undergraduate AHS programs to the semester system is also a positive step. The semester system provides more opportunities for students to learn and absorb the knowledge required for their profession. It also ensures that students get ample time to prepare for their exams, which helps them perform better. The semester system is widely used in universities worldwide, and its adoption in Pakistan’s healthcare education system will bring it in line with international standards.
