A recent session of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Health, chaired by Dr. Mahesh Kumar, has revealed serious concerns regarding nursing and medical education in Pakistan. According to the Secretary of Health, none of the 55 nursing colleges recently reviewed met the criteria for accreditation, raising significant questions about the quality of training in the sector.
During the meeting, Minister of State for Health Dr. Mukhtar Bharath stood in for Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal. Dr. Kumar cited a recent television appearance in which the minister reportedly admitted to issues within the Pakistan Nursing Council. A comprehensive report on the Council’s performance is being prepared.
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Dr. Bharath also noted that 15 medical colleges were accredited during the PTI government’s tenure, a decision now under review by the Federal Investigation Agency. He suggested that medical entry tests should be managed by provincial governments—a proposal supported by the committee. Member Abdul Qadir Patel added that distinct testing should be arranged for regions like Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
The committee was also briefed on the National Institute of Rehabilitation for Persons with Disabilities (NIRM), which lacks an emergency ward. Although the institute performs advanced surgeries and therapies, it has received only Rs. 15 million of the Rs. 55 million requested for upgrades.
Concerns over limited medicine budgets and unchecked private hospital fees were also raised. Patel walked out in protest after a discussion on the Pharmacy Council Act was postponed due to the federal minister’s absence.
