Announcement of a Vigilance Committee to Oversee Government Hospitals in Islamabad
Chairman instructed the Federal Minister for Health to review the matter and resolve it amicably, emphasizing that PIMS is a national asset and must be protected.
The committee will be led by Senator Masroor Ahsan, Senator Rahat Jamali, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, and Senator Anusha Rehman Ahmed Khan.
ISLAMABAD ( WEB NEWS )
A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health was held under the chairmanship of Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti. The meeting reviewed matters related to the verification of doctors’ credentials, issues concerning the Burns Center at PIMS, and the implementation status of the committee’s recommendations regarding PIMS and the School of Dentistry.
The first agenda item pertained to a private member’s bill titled “Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (Amendment) Bill, 2025,” presented by Senator Humayun Muhammad. As the mover was not present in the meeting, the agenda item was deferred.
The committee also discussed the “Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2025,” which aims to regulate medicine prices. Highlighting the rapid increase in drug prices, the Chairman stressed the need for effective regulation in the public interest, stating that essential medicines must remain affordable for the common citizen. Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal informed the committee that a medicines pricing policy is under consideration and that prices will be stabilized soon. At his request, further discussion on the bill was deferred.
The third agenda item was another private member’s bill titled “Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (Amendment) Bill, 2025,” presented by Senator Anusha Rehman Ahmed Khan. As it was of an honorary nature and the mover was not present in the meeting, the item was deferred and will be taken up in the next meeting.
Detailed deliberations were held on the Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Regulation) Bill, 2025. The committee expressed serious concern over the widespread availability and use of electronic nicotine devices, including vapes, particularly among children under the age of 18. Endorsing the bill, the Federal Minister for Health suggested involving the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to ensure a comprehensive framework. The Chairman directed the Ministry of Health and the Director General (Health) to work with the bill’s proposer to further improve the draft.
The committee also considered the difficulties faced by senior doctors in the verification and equivalence of their academic documents. It was clarified that only documents issued before 2023 are re-verified by the PMDC through IBCC, whereas equivalence certificates issued after 2023 carry QR codes and do not require re-verification.
Regarding a complaint against a convicted officer posted in Lahore, the Federal Minister assured the committee that an investigation would be conducted and strict action taken. The Chairman directed that the officer be suspended during the inquiry to ensure transparency and impartiality.
Issues related to the Burns Center at PIMS were also discussed. After hearing all stakeholders, the Chairman instructed the Federal Minister for Health to review the matter and resolve it amicably, emphasizing that PIMS is a national asset and must be protected.
The committee further reviewed the implementation of its recommendations concerning PIMS and the SZAMBU Dental Hospital, and it was informed that the issues had been resolved in accordance with the committee’s directives. The Chairman directed that the matter be addressed under the PIMS Act, 2023.
The committee was also briefed on the government’s initiatives for local vaccine production in collaboration with various countries, particularly Saudi Arabia. Appreciating these efforts, the committee assured its full support in the national interest.
The meeting was attended by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, Senator Rahat Jamali, Senator Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, and Senator Sarmad Ali, while Senator Anusha Rehman Ahmed Khan participated via Zoom.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chairman announced the establishment of a Vigilance Committee to oversee PIMS, Polyclinic Hospital, and other government health institutions in Islamabad in order to address public complaints. The committee will be led by Senator Masroor Ahsan, Senator Rahat Jamali, Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, and Senator Anusha Rehman Ahmed Khan. The Federal Minister welcomed the initiative and assured full cooperation.