ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee was informed on Monday that 15 medical colleges were registered without any inspection during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s tenure. Meanwhile, none of the 55 nursing colleges recently visited by the health secretary met the accreditation standards.
Minister of State for National Health Services Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath told the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health that a report submitted by the health secretary showed that all 55 nursing colleges were ineligible for accreditation. The Pakistan Nursing Council is preparing a detailed report on the matter.
During the meeting chaired by Mahesh Malani, Abdul Qadir Patel authorised Dr Shazia Sobia to discuss the Pharmacy Bill on his behalf. Patel noted that after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) came to power, the authority of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) was transferred to provinces, enabling them to conduct their own examinations. However, due to lack of readiness, tests could not be conducted immediately. He urged provinces to carry out their own enlistments.
The committee also addressed complaints from students of Al-Nafees Medical College regarding non-registration. Dr Bharath reiterated that the 15 medical colleges registered during PTI’s rule without inspection are under investigation, and their cases have been referred to the Federal Investigation Agency.
The executive director of the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM) informed the panel that the institute has started surgeries to correct clubfoot in children. He noted the institute’s limited medical budget of Rs40 million, which often forces patients to buy medicines themselves. However, epilepsy medications are consistently available.
The committee expressed concern over the inadequate medicine budget and announced plans to visit NIRM and recommend increasing funds to the government. Despite free medicine provision under Punjab’s health cards system, poor patients in some areas still have to purchase medicines. It was suggested that Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal be engaged to supply medicines to deserving patients.
