ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Friday said that the centre has expanded the quota for students from Balochistan in medical colleges.
Addressing a press conference, Mustafa Kamal said that the Ministry of Health and Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) have resolved the admission issue for students from merged districts (erstwhile FATA) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
He said health sector reforms are underway. He explained that students from merged FATA districts were facing admission issues. Medical college seats could not be increased due to limitations.
He announced that the issue has been resolved for students from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The government has increased the quota for students from FATA and Balochistan. A notification has been issued, and 333 students have already been admitted.
Mustafa Kamal confirmed that these students will now study in medical colleges under HEC merit criteria. He added that provinces have been advised to increase seats for next year.
Separately, the PMDC has issued a notification regarding fees in private medical and dental colleges. This follows recommendations from the Medical Education Reforms Committee.
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According to the notification issued by PMDC Registrar Dr. Shaista, the council used its powers under Section 20 (7) and (8) of the PMDC Act 2022. It has decided to regulate and limit tuition fees starting March 2025.
