Senate takes action on lab test pricing and exam integrity

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination (NHSRC) called to set a price benchmark for laboratory tests across private healthcare facilities.

The committee, chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chisti, recommended mandatory price displays in private labs to ensure transparency and protect consumers from unfair pricing in healthcare. It also took strong action after a forensic report revealed the MDCAT paper was leaked 13 hours before the exam.

Following an FIA investigation, the committee urged the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to implement IT-based testing and adopt a public question bank to prevent cheating and address “out-of-syllabus” content. Senator Chisti highlighted concerns over students with modest academic records scoring unusually high marks and stressed the need for reforms to safeguard exam integrity.

The committee urged PMDC to create a public question bank to address concerns over "out-of-syllabus" content and promote a more transparent, secure examination system. It also emphasized the need for systematic reforms in healthcare practices and regulations.

On pricing issues, Senator Mohsin Aziz highlighted the wide variation in private lab test costs—lipid profiles ranging from Rs2,400 to Rs2,600 and urine tests from Rs550 to Rs950. The committee recommended that the ministry set a price benchmark and require all labs to display prices. Senator Anusha Rahman supported this, arguing that clear pricing would benefit consumers and promote fairness in healthcare.

Workplace grievances at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) also drew attention, with 26 doctors accusing the Executive Director of racism, nepotism, harassment, and abuse of power.

The committee recommended that the ministry form an investigative panel to address the grievances and provide a prompt report. While the executive director denied all allegations, the committee stressed the need for a thorough and impartial review.

The meeting also covered the availability of contrast injections for CT scans, with officials assuring that supplies were sufficient despite claims of black marketing. The absence of the Pakistan Nursing Council president was noted, with a directive for her attendance at future sessions.

Attendees included Senators Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan, Irfanul Haque Siddiqui, Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan, Syed Masroor Ahsan, and senior NHSRC officials.