Private medical colleges barred from charging next year’s fees

ISLAMABAD: A sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Health has directed private medical colleges across the country to cease collecting next year’s fees from students until the issue of medical and dental colleges’ fee structures is resolved. The decision was made during a meeting on Friday, chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan.

The directive comes amidst allegations of exorbitant fees charged by private medical colleges, prompting inquiries by two high-level committees—one constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the other by the Senate sub-committee. The sub-committee took action after learning that some private institutions had started issuing fee vouchers despite ongoing investigations.

The committee also warned private medical colleges of strict action, including revocation of registrations, if they fail to comply with directives. The matter is expected to be deliberated in the next Senate sub-committee meeting.

The sub-committee chairperson, Senator Palwasha Khan, highlighted the staggering increase in medical college fees over recent years. “Some institutions have raised annual fees from Rs800,000 in 2018 to over Rs 3 million in 2023-24, which is a blatant exploitation of students and their families. Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has failed to regulate these colleges and has instead facilitated their unjust practices,” Senator Khan lamented.

Registrar PMDC, Dr Shaista Faisal, informed the committee that the council is authorised to regulate fee structures under the PMDC Act, 2023. She noted that the earlier attempts to regulate fees were not legally enforceable, but the 2023 Act now empowers the council to act decisively.

In 2012, PMDC capped annual fees for private medical colleges at Rs500,000 with a 5 per cent annual increase, but this regulation was disregarded by many institutions. Dr Shaista Faisal acknowledged the failure of PMDC to act in recent years and assured the committee that directives would be issued after consulting PMDC President Prof. Rizwan Taj.

Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan questioned PMDC’s performance since the enactment of the 2023 Act, demanding details of steps taken to regulate private medical colleges. PMDC officials could not provide a satisfactory response, leading to further criticism.

Special Secretary National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, Mirza Nasiruddin Mashud, informed the committee that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif had formed a high-level committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to examine the reason for fees charged by private medical colleges.

Senator Palwasha Khan appealed to the public to submit grievances against private medical colleges. “We will keep the identities of complainants confidential, and any unjust fees by these institutions will be reimbursed,” she assured. The sub-committee directed PMDC to scrutinise audit reports of private medical colleges and to investigate allegations of unjustified fee hikes. Furthermore, private medical colleges were ordered to refrain from collecting fees for the next academic year until the matter is resolved. Parents and students affected by unjust fees can submit their grievances at Room No. 2, Parking Area, C-Block, Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications, G-5 Islamabad, or by calling 051-9223955.