ISLAMABAD: Resurgence of polio in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi is being driven by poor sanitation and repeated failure to vaccinate large numbers of children due to security and operational challenges, National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination warned on 24-July-2025.
The committee, chaired by MNA Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, emphasized that eradication efforts must go beyond immunization campaigns and called on local administrations to urgently improve environmental hygiene, particularly by cleaning drains and sewage systems. “Vaccination alone won’t end polio if children are constantly exposed to virus-contaminated environments,” remarked a committee member. The members observed that stagnant water, overflowing drains, and poor hygiene in urban and peri-urban areas continue to undermine the progress made through repeated immunization drives. They called for a coordinated, inter-departmental response involving sanitation departments and law enforcement to ensure both access and effectiveness of polio interventions.
The committee also took strong notice of regulatory and administrative failures within the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and the Ministry of National Health Services, particularly regarding unresolved cases affecting the careers of medical students.
A major point of concern was the prolonged issue of Al-Nafees Medical College students, whose degrees and examination results remain in limbo. The Committee directed PMDC to summon both students and university officials and resolve the matter on merit within five days.
“These students are not just victims of mismanagement—they’re being harassed and their careers destroyed,” said MNA Dr. Nisar Jatt, urging punitive measures against those responsible. He and other members demanded suspension of salaries and promotions for officials who failed to act in time. The issue of Pakistani medical students who studied in Kyrgyzstan was also discussed at length. Despite enrolling in a registered medical college, many of these students were informed after completing their education that their degrees would not be recognized.
Chairman Malani demanded that all students who enrolled during the institution’s registration period be acknowledged without further delay. “You can’t shift the burden of regulatory confusion onto students after they’ve completed four years of education,” he asserted.
MNA Sabheen Ghoury criticized PMDC officials for using “ongoing council meetings” as a routine excuse to delay action. “Every time you appear before this committee, your excuse is the same—it’s time for decisions, not delays,” she said.
On the legislative front, “The Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2024,” tabled by MNA Abdul Qadir Patel, was deferred to the next session. The Committee, however, recommended the withdrawal of “The Islamabad Healthcare Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2024,” on the condition that its key provisions would be incorporated into the Allied Health Professionals Council Act, 2022, to avoid duplication.
The committee also expressed serious concern over the absence of standardization and quality control in the pricing and import of medical devices, especially stents and lenses.
It directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to accelerate hiring processes, enforce strict quality regulations, and provide an update on the rollout of its digital licensing and registration reforms. A longstanding administrative crisis at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM) was also brought to the fore.
Accusations of ghost surgeries, absentee staff, and internal victimization prompted the Chairman to dissolve the existing sub-committee on NIRM and take up the issue directly in the full Standing Committee. An in-camera session with all stakeholders has been proposed to ensure accountability.
Concerns were also raised about Dinal Hospital, where MNA Shabbir Ali Qureshi alleged that private practice was being conducted during official hours and key wards like surgery remained non-functional. The Chairman assured members that this issue would be investigated in the next committee meeting.
The session was attended by MNAs Sabheen Ghoury, Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Farah Naz Akbar, Dr. Darshan, Aliya Kamran, Farukh Khan, Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, Shabbir Ali Qureshi, Azim ud Din Zahid Lakhwi, Dr. Nisar Ahmed, and Shaista Pervaiz. Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro participated virtually, alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Health and its attached departments, including PMDC and DRAP.
Chairman Dr. Malani concluded the meeting with a stern reminder saying they could not afford delays, excuses, or bureaucratic inaction. “The lives, careers, and health of our people are at stake, and we will hold institutions accountable.”
Published in News Daily on 25 July 2025.
