NA Health Committee pushes for healthcare sector reforms

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, chaired by MNA Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, has emphasized the critical need for sweeping reforms in Pakistan’s healthcare sector. The meeting addressed pressing concerns, ranging from nursing education to the regulation of psychology professionals and the functioning of key healthcare facilities.
Key Highlights:
Pakistan Nursing Council Crisis: The committee spotlighted the unresolved administrative issues within the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), which have hindered the operations of nursing institutes across the country. This deadlock exacerbates the acute shortage of qualified nurses, a significant gap in Pakistan’s healthcare workforce. The committee urged the Prime Minister to intervene, ensuring swift resolution to these challenges.
Legislative Progress: The "Pakistan Nursing Council (Amendment) Bill, 2024," proposed by MNA Syed Rafiullah, was deferred pending additional information from the Ministry of National Health Services.
Mental Health Reforms and Psychology Regulation: Committee members stressed the growing need to regulate psychologists amid increasing demand for mental health services. The "Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (Amendment) Bill, 2024," and the "Islamabad Healthcare Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2024," proposed by MNA Shaista Pervaiz, were discussed. The lack of oversight for mental health professionals was highlighted as a major issue, and recommendations were made to ensure proper certification and alignment with international standards.
MDCAT Retest Updates: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) was commended for its efforts to ensure transparency in the upcoming MDCAT retest, scheduled for December 2024. Measures such as strict venue monitoring, pre-test analysis, and robust safeguards were implemented following recommendations from the committee and the Sindh High Court's order.
Polyclinic Hospital's Operational Issues: The Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital in Islamabad came under scrutiny for outdated equipment, inadequate medicine supplies, and poor patient care. The committee called for immediate upgrades to the hospital’s infrastructure to ensure access to quality healthcare for all citizens.
Participation:
The meeting saw active engagement from committee members, including MNAs Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Dr. Shaista Khan, Farah Naz Akbar, and senior officials from the Ministry of National Health Services and its departments.