Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, the new chairman of the Higher Education Commission. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Mukhtar Ahmad Malik on Friday informed the Senate that a consensus had been reached to fix Rs 1.8 million as the minimum standard fee for private medical colleges, while institutions charging higher fees would be required to provide proper justification.
Replying to a question raised by Senator Rubina Qaimkhani during the Question Hour, the minister said that under the PMDC Act, 2023, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) did not have the power to directly reduce fees of private medical colleges. However, he said the government had intervened to protect students and parents from excessive financial burden.
He said the issue was taken up at the federal level and a high-level meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister was held, to which representatives of private medical colleges were invited. After extensive discussions, all parties agreed that Rs1.8 million would serve as the minimum benchmark fee.
Malik said it was also decided that any medical college wishing to charge fees above Rs 1.8 million would have to submit a clear justification to the PMDC. He said factors such as hospital facilities, compliance with minimum standards, patient turnover and overall academic quality would be taken into account. He informed the House that despite this agreement, several private medical colleges subsequently approached the Islamabad High Court, arguing that the PMDC did not have the legal mandate to regulate fees under the existing law. The court subsequently granted a stay order.
The minister said that following the legal proceedings, a number of private medical colleges accepted the agreed framework and reduced their fees to Rs 1.8 million, while many others across the country did not comply.
Responding to further questions, the minister said institutions such as the Aga Khan Medical College were being treated separately in view of previous court judgments. However, he reiterated that even in such cases, any charges above Rs1.8 million would require justification.
In response to another question, the minister also clarified that the OPD departments of PIMS and Polyclinic operate in double shifts. He said the morning OPD continued till 2:00 p.m., after which the evening shift resumed and continued till 8:00 p.m.
He informed the House that routine laboratory tests are carried out in batches, with most routine test results released on the same day, while urgent tests ordered by doctors are given priority and provided immediately.
