Pakistan: Senate Panel Slams High Fees in Private Medical Colleges

Pakistan (Sahiwal Updates)

The Senate sub-committee on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination voiced strong disapproval on Friday regarding the excessive fees imposed by private medical colleges.

The committee meeting, chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, focused on the steep hike in tuition fees and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s (PMDC) role in addressing the issue.

Alarming Fee Surge

Senator Palwasha highlighted the unjustifiable escalation of fees, which have risen from Rs0.8 million annually in 2018 to a staggering Rs3 million in 2023-24.

She expressed concern over PMDC’s inability to control this inflation, accusing the council of aligning with private medical colleges instead of regulating them.

“PMDC has failed to fulfill its responsibilities and has unfortunately become complicit in this exploitative system,” the senator remarked.

Invitation for Public Grievances

In a bid to gather firsthand accounts, Senator Palwasha urged the public to anonymously share their complaints about the private medical colleges with the committee.

She also called for the reimbursement of exorbitant fees paid by parents, emphasizing the financial strain on families.

PMDC Accountability

The committee directed the PMDC to scrutinize the audit reports of private medical colleges and ensure transparency in their financial operations.

PMDC Registrar Dr. Shaista Faisal explained that the council, under the 2023 Act, now holds the authority to regulate fee structures.

However, despite this legislative empowerment, PMDC’s previous efforts lacked legal protection, resulting in limited enforcement.

Historical Context and Current Status

Dr. Faisal noted that in 2012, the PMDC had set an annual fee cap of Rs500,000 for private medical colleges, allowing a 5% annual increase.

Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan questioned PMDC’s actions since gaining regulatory powers in 2023 but received no substantive response from the council.

Government Intervention

Special Secretary NHSR&C Mirza Nasir ud din Mashud informed the committee that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has formed a separate committee to address fee structures in private medical colleges.

This initiative aims to provide a clearer framework for regulating educational costs in the sector.

Conclusion

The Senate sub-committee’s deliberations underscore a pressing need for stricter oversight of private medical colleges.

With families burdened by skyrocketing tuition fees, the onus is on PMDC and government authorities to ensure accountability and fairness in medical education.

The committee’s ongoing investigations and public involvement could pave the way for meaningful reforms in the sector.