Minister says federal govt to provide resources for MDCAT

PESHAWAR: Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan said the federal and provincial governments would provide security, administrative and technical resources for conducting the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT).

A press release said he was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of Biosafety and Bio Risk Management (BRM) Training Lab at KMU and distribution of scholarship certificates to deserving students.

KMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Ziaul Haq, Director General Health Shaukat Ali, Kouassi Koman, Deputy Health Coordinator ICRC from Ivory Coast, KMU Registrar Inamullah Khan Wazir, deans and heads of various faculties and departments of KMU were also present.

Dr Nadeem Jan said the Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar had brought together all the health sectors under one umbrella and the results of medical education and research have been a success in the health system of the province.

He said that in the past, the concept of medical education was limited only to MBBS and BDS, but now under KMU, the education and training that is being imparted in dozens of innovative fields from BS to PhD level is the need of the time.

The minister added that the KMU was providing quality knowledge and research opportunities to our students in different fields of health in their own province. He said that the protection of the health care providers would be ensured and all necessary facilities would be provided. He said the policy of the proposed act of ICRC for prevention of violence and damage to property would be strictly implemented.

The minister said that the proposed plan prepared by KMU for the clean and transparent conduct of the MDCAT test slated for November 26 was commendable. He said that the federal and provincial governments would provide security, administrative and technical resources for the conduct of the test.

Dr Ziaul Haq said arrangements had been made for conducting MDCAT in a transparent manner. He added that the Public Health Reference Laboratory required consistent funding from the provincial government. He said that more than 75 trained employees of the lab were working on contract basis and they deserved to be regularized.

At the end of the ceremony, the minister distributed scholarship certificates to deserving medical students. Earlier, the chief guest inaugurated the Biosafety and BRM Training Lab at KMU and planted a sapling in the lawn of KMU.