MDCAT papers, essential material sent to 11 cities

LAHORE: The examination papers and other essential material for the Sunday’s Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) have been dispatched to 11 cities of province under tight security on Friday.

A UHS spokesperson said that the examination papers are sealed in steel trunks, escorted by district police and assistant commissioners. Senior faculty members and staff from the University of Health Sciences (UHS) also accompanied the transport. UHS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Ahsan Waheed Rathore personally oversaw the dispatch process.

He said that all special secretaries, additional secretaries, and deputy secretaries of the Health Department will monitor the process of MDCAT. To ensure seamless coordination during the exam, a Command and Control Centre has been established at UHS, with Prof Rathore directly supervising the operations. A help desk with designated officers has also been set up to maintain continuous communication with examination centres.

He informed that the training sessions for the invigilation staff will be held at the respective centres on Saturday (today). Senior faculty members and officials of UHS have been appointed as head couriers for the exam material, while vice-chancellors, pro-vice chancellors and principals of medical universities will serve as regional in-charges. Officers from the Specialised Healthcare Department and district commissioners will oversee the arrangements.

The spokesperson said that Section 144 has been enforced at all examination centres to prevent unauthorised access. The district administration and UHS have also arranged seating facilities for parents near the centres, with a significant police presence ensuring security. The candidates will undergo thorough body searches before entering the exam halls.

The responsibility for cleanliness at the centres has been assigned to the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) in provincial capital, he added. He informed that ambulances, doctors, and paramedical staff will be on standby at all centres from 7am to deal with any emergencies.