Senate Panel Raises Alarm Over Fee Hikes in Private Medical, Dental Colleges

The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services convened on Tuesday to address growing concerns regarding the rising fees charged by private medical and dental colleges. The session, chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, brought together several senators including Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Syed Masroor Ahsan, Rubina Khalid, Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan, Rahat Jamali, Sarmad Ali, Dilawar Khan, and Agha Shahzaib Durrani. Senator Jan Muhammad attended as a Special Invitee, while Senator Hidayatullah Khan participated as the mover of the point of public importance.

During the meeting, the committee voiced serious apprehensions about reports of private institutions charging admission fees that exceed the officially prescribed cap of Rs1.8 million. The chairman highlighted multiple complaints received regarding this overcharging and directed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to take strict action against any violations of the fee limit.

The committee also urged the Ministry of National Health Services to consider measures aimed at increasing the overall number of medical seats available in the country. Members of the panel examined the current centralised admission policy for private medical colleges and expressed concerns about the existing 50 percent allocation, though the details of this allocation were not elaborated upon in the meeting summary.

The senators emphasized the need for regulatory authorities to ensure that private colleges adhere to the fee structure set by the government. The committee reiterated its commitment to protecting students and their families from undue financial burdens imposed by educational institutions.

The meeting concluded with a call for the PMDC to intensify its oversight and enforcement efforts, as well as for the ministry to explore ways to expand access to medical education across Pakistan.