MDCAT uncertain as LUMHS VC not willing to hold test

The fate of the Medical and Dental Colleges Admissions Test (MDCAT) in Sindh has become uncertain as the vice chancellor of the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro (LUMHS), which was supposed to hold the test, has expressed his inability to hold the test over ethical concerns.

For the year 2024-25, the LUMHS was given the responsibility of holding the MDCAT for admissions to private and government medical universities and colleges across Sindh and this was notified by Health Secretary Rehan Baloch. However, LUMHS VC Prof Dr Ikramuddin Ujjan has stated that he cannot conduct the test this year because his son will be taking the MDCAT as a candidate.

He said that to ensure impartiality and transparency, the MDCAT should be conducted by some other university. He added that he was writing to the health secretary that due to his son's participation in the test, the responsibility of holding the MDCAT should be given to another university.

The Dow Medical University and Jinnah Sindh Medical University have earlier conducted the MDCAT and now it was the turn of the LUMHS. If the LUMHS does not hold the test, the People's Medical University Nawabshah or Larkana Medical University may conduct the test.