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Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
'Nursing hospitals not meeting standards'
A parliamentary panel was told on Monday that fifteen medical colleges were registered without any inspection during the PTI's rule while none of the 55 nursing colleges recently visited by the health secretary were eligible for accreditation. Minister of State for National Health Services Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health that 55 nursing colleges were recently visited. "According to the report [submitted by the health secretary], not a single college was found eligible for accreditation. A detailed report is being prepared by the Pakistan Nursing Council," he added. During the committee meeting, chaired by Mahesh Malani, Abdul Qadir Patel authorized Dr Shazia Sobia to discuss the Pharmacy Bill on his behalf. Patel said as soon as the PPP came into power, it transferred the authority related to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to the provinces so they could conduct their own tests. "However, the provinces were not prepared at the time, which is why tests could not be conducted immediately. We want the provinces to carry out their own enlistments," he said. The committee chairman referred to the complaints from students of Al-Nafees Medical College regarding non-registration. Dr Bharath reiterated that 15 medical colleges were registered during the PTI's term without inspection, and their cases have been sent to the Federal Investigation Agency. The executive director of the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM) told the panel that the institute had now started surgeries for correcting clubfoot in children. "NIRM has a medical budget of Rs40 million, which is very low. Due to this, patients often have to purchase medicines. However, we ensure that epilepsy medications are never out of stock," he said. The committee expressed concerns over the inadequate medicine budget and emphasized that it should be increased. It announced plans to visit the institute and make recommendations to the government. In Punjab, medicines are provided free of charge through the health cards system but even poor patients in some areas are forced to purchase them. It was suggested that Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal should be used to provide medicines to deserving patients. RAYZA KHAN
Express Tribune
14-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
13k civilians trained in wartime drills
A team conducts a mock drill at Rawal Dam to assess preparations for rescue operation in case of possible floods during the monsoon. PHOTO: EXPRESS As hostilities flared recently between Pakistan and India, authorities ramped up civil defence preparedness by training over 13,000 individuals, including 400 women, in emergency response and public safety protocols, the National Assembly was informed on Wednesday. During the ongoing session chaired by Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Minister of State for National Health Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had initially announced civil defence training for 9,000 citizens, but exceeded its target due to growing demand amid the crisis. "So far, 13,000 individuals have been trained, 12,000 men and 400 women," Dr Bharath told the House during the Question Hour. He said that the civil defence force had played a key role in recent emergency operations, particularly in transporting the injured to hospitals during escalations along the border. "We also have provincial-level data regarding training and preparedness," he added, noting that civil defence offices are operational across the country. The disclosure came in response to a question from MNA Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam, who had inquired about recent civil defence initiatives amid the tense regional security environment. Aviation losses Meanwhile, in a pointed exchange, PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqui drew attention to the financial damage incurred due to an irresponsible 2020 statement by a federal minister regarding pilots' credentials, saying it resulted in losses amounting to Rs40 billion. "How will those responsible be identified without an inquiry?" she asked. Parliamentary Secretary for Aviation Zeb Jafar responded by saying that operations were now on the path to recovery. "Two flights are currently operating for Paris. Since March, PIA has begun generating profit. Concerns raised by UK authorities have been addressed, and multiple international routes have been restored," she added. She said PIA has been operating in a profit since March 2024. Jaffar said PIA has now resumed flights to the European Union, including two destinations in Europe, such as Paris. She also mentioned that the government had engaged in dialogue with the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which paved the way for restarting flights to Paris. Talks with UK aviation authorities are also underway. In addition, discussions are ongoing with Turkish Airlines, which is expected to benefit Pakistani travellers. The government is actively working to expand PIA's network to profitable routes, including the Middle East and North Africa. Efforts to make the national airline more profitable are continuing, and their impact will become more visible in the coming months, she added.
