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The Secretary of the Sukkur IBA Testing Agency has formally requested urgent action from the Sindh Health Department to ensure timely preparations for the upcoming MDCAT (Medical and Dental College Admission Test). In a letter addressed to the Health Secretary, the agency outlined a seven-point agenda it deems essential for the successful administration of the test.
The Secretary emphasized the necessity of taking immediate action, such as the immediate appointment of two focal persons from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and the Health Department, as the test deadline approached. Additionally, he requested an online consultation with critical representatives from the Health and University Boards departments, Sindh universities, IBA Sukkur, and PMDC.
Additional complications have arisen after the Sindh High Court’s (SHC) decision to establish a four-week timeline commencing on October 26 for the MDCAT to be administered at IBA Karachi and Sukkur IBA University (SIBA). IBA Karachi declined to administer the test in Karachi, thereby transferring responsibility for the entire test, including Karachi, to SIBA’s testing service (STS). This, according to the Secretary, necessitates additional time for thorough preparation.
The Secretary noted that seven days have already passed since the SHC’s directive, yet STS has not received formal instructions from the relevant authorities. Also, the agency suggested charging Rs 6,000 for each candidate which they have to pay in an official account required one week before the examination.
To avoid any confusion and for legal reasons, the Secretary also asked the Health Secretary to write to SHC for permission for STS to conduct the test in any of the Sindh areas let alone Karachi. This is necessary as the original court order limits SIBA’s jurisdiction to areas outside Karachi.
The letter requested that the data of applicants registered through PMDC’s portal be shared with STS within two working days. It is also recommended the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) between STS and the Health Department on how the test will be conducted.
The STS Secretary informed that after writing confirmation of the seven-point agreement from the Health Department then testing preparations would begin, he added that a delay in this approval could affect the MDCAT timeline.
