ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) held its meeting under the chairmanship of Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, MNA, to review key issues related to medicine availability and quality, nursing sector reforms, and public health education and research.
During the review of the implementation status of previous recommendations, committee members expressed serious concerns over shortages of diabetes medicines and insulin, as well as inconsistencies in the availability of specific brands.
The committee stressed that complete and detailed information regarding medicine shortages and discounted medicines provided to parliamentarians must be shared with the committee.
Members also questioned the quality of medicines being offered at a 30 percent discount to parliamentarians. It was informed that sampling had been conducted by deputed field officers, with 16 samples collected from the Parliamentarians’ Dispensary and six samples from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). The committee was told that testing reports would be shared once finalized. The Minister assured members that all concerned entities would be called in the next meeting for a detailed discussion.
The committee also sought clarification on whether the benefit of a 69 percent discount, under the pharmacy tender awarded to the Federal Government Hospital (FGH), was being passed on to the general public.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) informed the committee that inspections were being carried out under its mandate in coordination with Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) inspectors, while procurement was conducted in accordance with Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules.
Lifestyle medicine and preventive healthcare were also discussed. The Minister informed the committee that a policy shift from sickness-based care to wellness and prevention was being pursued. Members proposed the inclusion of lifestyle education in medical curricula through the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and in provincial syllabi at all educational levels. The chairman directed that the matter be placed on the agenda of the next meeting.
Issues related to proposed amendments to the PMDC Act and challenges faced by Pakistani medical students studying abroad were also flagged for future deliberations.
The committee took up The Pakistan Nursing Council (Amendment) Bill, 2024. It was noted that following the promulgation of the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council Ordinance, 2025, the Pakistan Nursing Council Act, 2023 stood repealed under Clause 47 of the Ordinance. The Ministry of Law and Justice concurred that the Ordinance would be laid before the National Assembly. The Minister informed the committee that the notification of council members was imminent and assured that all concerns raised would be addressed in the first meeting of the newly constituted council. In view of these developments, the committee disposed of the Pakistan Nursing Council (Amendment) Bill, 2024 moved by Syed Rafiullah, MNA.
The committee also received a detailed briefing from the Health Services Academy (HSA). The Vice Chancellor highlighted HSA’s role as Pakistan’s first public health university, its faculty strength, training of in-service doctors, collaboration with United Nations agencies, and progress on One Health initiatives.
The Minister drew the committee’s attention to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, particularly due to the excessive use of antibiotics in livestock, and informed members that HSA was actively working in this previously neglected area.
Members raised questions regarding admissions, faculty recruitment, budgetary constraints, use of artificial intelligence, plagiarism control mechanisms in theses, student representation from Balochistan, and governance matters, including approvals by the Senate and Syndicate in relation to recent promotions. The HSA administration assured the committee that admissions were conducted strictly on merit and quota basis, due process was followed in recruitments, and that all relevant documents, advertisements, and approvals would be shared with the committee in subsequent meetings.
The committee also discussed issues related to HIV testing surveys, availability of testing kits, inter-ministerial coordination, and transparency in survey findings. The Ministry assured members that previously raised concerns were being addressed and that detailed information would be shared in upcoming meetings. The Health Services Academy requested the committee’s support in countering misinformation, stating that despite strong performance, certain private entities were attempting to discredit the institution. The Vice Chancellor said he intended to challenge such allegations through all available channels and noted that the committee could serve as a platform to clarify facts.
Members emphasized the need for improved coordination between the Ministry and its attached departments. The committee appreciated the comprehensive briefing by HSA and underscored the importance of transparency, accountability, and timely sharing of information. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Dr. Nikhat Shakeel Khan, Dr. Shaista Khan, Gul Asghar Khan, Ms. Aliya Kamran and Ms. Farukh Khan. The Minister for NHSR&C and senior officials from the Ministry of NHSR&C, PMDC and DRAP were also present.
