Senate body on Fees and Quality Complaints in Medical colleges holds Important Meeting

ISLAMABAD, Jan 17 (EPI): The Senate Sub-Standing Committee on Health, chaired by Palwasha Khan, convened to address pressing issues concerning fees and quality complaints within medical colleges.

During the meeting, committee members voiced serious concerns regarding unapproved fee hikes and the overall quality of education and faculty in medical institutions.

The committee raised critical questions about the enforcement of regulations on verbal complaints and stressed the need for parents and students to adhere to the terms outlined in medical college prospectuses.

Palwasha Khan, in response, highlighted the challenge of dealing with situations where students do not come forward with their grievances. The committee emphasized that medical college students are required to attend classes and exams and should not be subjected to substandard educational environments.

Another major concern discussed was the shortage of faculty in medical colleges. A committee member suggested that colleges facing faculty shortages should reduce the number of students admitted to ensure quality education. The committee also called for more transparent inspections of medical colleges to ensure compliance with standards set by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).

Palwasha Khan assured the committee that she would meet with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and visit medical colleges to directly assess the situation. In response to concerns about potential resistance from medical college owners, she stated, “Let them be nervous. It is time to address these issues head-on.”

The committee also noted widespread complaints from students and parents regarding the collection of unapproved and excessive fees by private medical colleges. Some institutions have raised fees to unprecedented levels, with the total cost of a five-year MBBS program now surpassing Rs 15 million, without the necessary approval from PMDC.

In response to these concerns, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has established a 25-member committee to address the challenges faced by the medical education sector.

Additionally, the Senate Sub-Committee on Health has ordered a halt to the collection of fees by private medical colleges for the 2024-25 academic year, and a formal letter has been sent to these colleges instructing them to comply with the directive.

The committee’s actions are a part of ongoing efforts to ensure the quality and affordability of medical education in Pakistan and to hold institutions accountable for their practices.

Ends-Exact Press International-