Senate Committee Seeks Details of Fees Charged by Public and Private Medical Colleges within Two Weeks
ISLAMABAD ( WEB NEWS )
The Senate Committee on Health has demanded details of fees charged by public and private medical colleges within two weeks. In response to complaints about excessive fees and the failure to provide a 4% discount for lump-sum payments, a sub-committee has been formed to investigate. Based on the suggestion of Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Senator Palwasha Khan will lead a two-member committee to investigate the excessive fees, facilities provided in medical colleges, the quality of teachers, and other fee-related complaints. This committee will also meet with medical students and present a report based on the findings.
The Standing Committee approved the proposal from Senator Irfan Siddiqui and Senator Palwasha Khan, and the Health Services Coordinator assured the committee that the Prime Minister has also formed a committee, which will start a comprehensive inspection of medical colleges in November. Any excessive fees charged to students will be refunded. Senator Irfan Siddiqui strongly criticized officials from the Ministry of Health and subordinate institutions for overcharging students in medical colleges, leaving officials speechless with evidence and documents.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui warned representatives of the medical colleges to speak carefully, as he had documents, and any false statements would result in action. When he presented the documents, the representatives of medical colleges changed their stance. Senator Siddiqui questioned, “If you violate your own laws, who will hold you accountable?” He emphasized that if action is not taken, he will raise the issue with the Privileges Committee.
Senator Siddiqui’s proposal was unanimously supported by all committee members and the chairman. The Health Services Coordinator briefed the committee, stating that medical colleges claimed the 7% fee cap was imposed by the Supreme Court “at gunpoint.” In response, Senator Siddiqui remarked wittily, “Does the Prime Minister leave office at gunpoint too?” This comment caused laughter in the meeting.
Senator Siddiqui expressed outrage over the 2.8 million rupee fees being charged and called for the de-registration of such colleges. Senator Palwasha Khan described the situation as “bullying” and urged that such practices be stopped, adding, “If they aren’t making a profit, they should shut down the colleges. I represent the oppressed students, and this exploitation must end.” Senator Siddiqui also raised concerns about the failure to provide a 4% discount for lump-sum fee payments.
The meeting was chaired by Senator Amir Waliduddin Chishti and attended by representatives from 13 medical colleges in Islamabad, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Health and the National Coordinator of Health Services.