The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR and C) on Thursday criticized Pakistan’s healthcare system, citing rising polio cases, unresolved medical student disputes, and administrative inadequacies in key institutions.
The committee, led by Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, held a meeting at Parliament House where they reprimanded the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and the Ministry of National Health Services for their failure to address the problems faced by Al-Nafees Medical College students. The PMDC was instructed to consult with students and university administrators and find a solution within five days. The committee also demanded immediate recognition of Pakistani graduates from Kyrgyzstan-based institutions that were registered at the time of their studies.
Concerns were raised about the increase in polio cases in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi, blamed on sanitation issues and vaccination campaign gaps due to security and logistical obstacles. The legislators emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to polio eradication, encompassing better sanitation practices.
The committee postponed ‘The Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2024,’ and advised withdrawing ‘The Islamabad Healthcare Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2024,’ as its clauses would be incorporated into the Allied Health Professionals Council Act, 2022 to avoid redundancy.
The panel pressed for prompt hiring at the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), along with rigorous standardization and price control of medical equipment like stents and lenses. Updates were requested on DRAP’s digital licensing advancements.
Addressing the growing crisis at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM), the committee dissolved its sub-committee on the issue. All parties involved will now present their cases privately before the main committee. Issues like staff absenteeism, unauthorized surgeries, and internal harassment at NIRM were highlighted.
Attending the meeting were National Assembly representatives, including Ms Sabheen Ghoury, Ms Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Ms Farah Naz Akbar, Dr Darshan, Ms Aliya Kamran, Ms Farukh Khan, Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, Shabbir Ali Qureshi, Azim ud Din Zahid Lakhwi, Dr Nisar Ahmed, and Ms Shaista Pervaiz. Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro participated remotely, joined by high-ranking officials from the Ministry of National Health Services and related agencies.