Islamabad: Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination has asked the Ministry and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to look into the rationalization of fee structure for medical and dental studies.
The Committee also directed looking into the prospects of an increase in seats in public sector Medical Institutions for encouraging students to pursue their medical studies within the country instead of going abroad specially in Central Asian states. The Committee met under the chairmanship of Dr. Muhammad Afzal Khan Dhandla, MNA in Parliament House this morning.
The Committee while examining the details of scholarships offered by PMDC to medical students inland and abroad observed that the students in absence of seats in the public sector universities and the huge fee structure of private medical institutions proceeded abroad spending a substantial amount of foreign exchange. The Chairman quoting the pathetic state of students pursuing their studies in central Asian states said that he was privy to the state of some students who were subject to exploitation by the agents and foreign medical institutions. He suggested rationalizing the fee structure of private medical institutions in the country which were presently charging huge amounts on that account. The Committee also sought a report on irregularities in current medical admissions.
The Special Secretary of the Ministry and Registrar of PMDC assured the Committee of presenting a report in this regard in the next meeting of the Committee. The Registrar apprised that the PMDC had awarded 301 scholarships to students and the scheme had been discontinued on the objection of the Audit department on the pretext of being out of the scope of the PMDC.
The Committee after a briefing on Liver transplants in Pakistan sought draft legislation from the Ministry on SWAP law which was already in vogue in provinces. The Special Secretary apprised the Committee that liver transplant was started in PIMS Islamabad in the year 2010 and funds to the tune of Rs.233 million were allocated in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 and were utilized on civil works and procurement of equipment and hiring of staff and operational expenditure. He further apprised that the one transplant operation was carried out which was not successful and was later discontinued due to the non-availability of proper infrastructure and professional Human Resources.
The Committee pended discussion on PSDP proposals of the Ministry for its next meeting. The Committee directed Ministry to prepare a proper presentation in that regard with complete information. The Committee also sought details of funds allocated for Autism and Basic Health Units in Islamabad Capital Territory. The Committee also expressed its displeasure on the absence of the Minister and the Secretary of the Ministry directing both to attend the next meeting.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Dr. Samina, Matloob, Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatehmi, Dr. Darshan, Dr. Zulfiqar Ahmad Bhatti, Ms. Shamsun Nisa, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Mr. Ramesh Lal, Mr. Nasir Khan Musazai, Special Secretary M/o NHSR&C, Executive Director PIMS & Poly Clinic and other senior officers of the Ministry.
- News Agencies