Govt plans to deregister medical and dental colleges

The subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services (NHS) on Wednesday directed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council to revoke the licence of private colleges within two weeks in case of non-compliance.

The panel reviewed measures taken by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and suggested introducing legislation if the regulatory body fails to regulate fee structures effectively. Students from Sargodha Medical University reported that private colleges are charging high fees without providing adequate facilities. 

The committee referred these complaints to the health ministry, ensuring students’ anonymity. Senator Palwasha Khan urged the PMDC to address the issue of exorbitant fees and proposed reimbursing students for excess amounts collected before finalizing the 2024-25 fee structure. The panel instructed the PMDC to revoke the licence of colleges that fail to comply within two weeks.

PMDC President Dr. Rizwan Taj informed the committee that recommendations for a standardized fee structure have been sent to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. He added that private medical colleges in Islamabad agreed to refund students’ claims but argued that the council cannot impose fee regulations.

The PMDC cited longstanding challenges in fee standardization. In July 2023, it sought the health ministry’s legal advice to establish uniform tuition fees. The council previously capped private college fees at Rs850000 in 2018, with an annual 5% increase allowed from 2020 onwards.

Under the PMDC Act 2022, private colleges must declare fixed tuition fees before admissions and are prohibited from raising fees during a student’s enrollment. Despite these regulations, complaints about inconsistent and excessive charges persist.

The committee emphasized the need for immediate action to safeguard medical and dental students nationwide.