According to the latest developments made by the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services it was decided to give advantage to the candidates of the National Licensing Exam.
The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services (NHS) has suggested lowering the National Licensing Exam (NLE) passing percentage by 20%, from 70% to 50%.
The members of the committee held a lengthy discussion regarding the passing marks for previous and prospective NLE tests, particularly in comparison to other countries, at a meeting.
Members of the health committee highlighted that the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) approved 50% of the candidates in 2012. Furthermore, the success rate for the NLE test was the same in 2017 and 2019; however, the passing percentage was set at 70% in 2021.
During the conference, a PMDC official revealed that the passing rate in industrialized countries is 70%. In response to the official’s comments, Senator Mehr Taj Roghani stated that in other nations, the license exam percentage was 50% or below.
Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi agreed with his colleague and proposed lowering the threshold to 50%.
Other crucial issues, such as the MRI equipment at PIMS, were considered during the committee meeting. The MRI equipment has been operational since October 13, according to the PIMS executive director. He also stated that the federal health minister will officially launch it on October 27.
In addition, the Polyclinic Hospital will receive an MRI scanner within four months. Dr. Humayun Mohmand, the committee’s Chairman, stressed the need to have six to seven MRI scanners at government hospitals in Islamabad.
Furthermore, while addressing staff deputation at PIMS and Polyclinic hospitals, it was found that 24 PIMS personnel are on deputation at other hospitals. Likewise, 49 workers from other hospitals are on deputation at PIMS.