Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses a session of the National Assembly. PHOTO: FACEBOOK/NA
ISLAMABAD:
The Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination of the National Assembly on Monday expressed serious concern over the non-compliance of private medical and dental colleges with the fee structure approved by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and urged strict implementation of the regulations.
The meeting, chaired by Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, MNA, addressed a wide range of regulatory and public health issues, including inflated medical college fees, fairness of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) and irregularities in the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC).
The officials informed the committee that despite the prescribed fee limit of Rs 1,800,000 to Rs 2,500,000 per annum, several institutions continued to charge higher amounts.
The PMDC reported that show-cause notices had been issued to 14 universities for violations and further investigations were underway.
Members demanded that details of these institutions, including notification dates and follow-up actions, be shared with the committee. The NHSR&C Minister assured that the issue was under active review and that a survey was being carried out to verify the fee structures in all universities.
The Chairman welcomed the members and appreciated their continued commitment, while urging the resolution of long-pending issues, including the promotion of two PMDC employees who had been cleared by the FIA and the ministry.
The committee recommended that the matter be finalized without further delay.
During the discussion on the MDCAT, members raised concerns about the two-year validity of test results and the absence of a relative grading system, arguing that the policy discouraged high-performing students from reapplying.
The president noted that thousands of students had achieved grades above 95 per cent, but limited places left many at a disadvantage. The committee recommended reviewing the policy to ensure fairness and equal opportunities.
The minister explained that more than 6,000 standardized questions had been developed from a common syllabus, divided into sets for greater transparency, and assured that further consultations would be carried out with the provinces and the National Academic Board.
The committee members also emphasized that the academic future of students must be safeguarded in case of university registration being canceled and that the PMDC should adopt proactive regulation instead of post-complaint actions.
The committee also reviewed Featured Questions Nos. 20, 23 and 49, along with “Pakistan Nursing Council (Amendment) Bill, 2024”, introduced by Syed Rafiullah, MNA.
Members expressed concern about the Ministry’s delayed and inadequate responses to irregular appointments and administrative failures. It was noted that despite the committee’s earlier instructions, no substantial corrective action had been taken.
