KARACHI: The Sindh Cabinet recently decided to lower the passing percentage in MDCAT 2021 from 65 per cent to 50 per cent so that the candidates with not less than 50 per cent score would be eligible for admission in medical and dental colleges in session 2021-2022.
Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho said that she held several meetings with the Vice Chancellors of Sindh's public medical and dental universities and with Sindh's Pakistan Association of Private Medical and Dental Institutions (PAMI). Wherein it was decided with the agreement that in order to fill the total seats, the passing percentage of MDCAT-2021 should be slashed from 65 per cent to 50 per cent, she said.
Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister, Sindh, while presiding over the cabinet meeting at CM House, stated that decision would not only provide an opportunity to the provincial candidates to seek admission in medical and dental colleges of Sindh but the seats which were going to be vacant would be utilised.
Murad Ali Shah said that World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended 1 doctor against 850 people, whereas Sindh has 1 doctor against 3200 people. Hence, the gap of availability of doctors would further worsen in the future if the situation persisted, he further added.
Mumtaz Shah, Chief Secretary, Sindh, Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman, Planning & Development Board, Sindh, Sajid Jamal Abro, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sindh and other provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants and concerned officers attended the meeting.