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The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has voiced serious concern over Pakistan’s rising HIV cases, weak oversight of private healthcare facilities and persistent problems in medical education admissions.
During the meeting, chaired by Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, the committee was told that around 300,000 people are living with HIV in Pakistan, but only 87,000 cases have been diagnosed, with just 34,000 patients currently receiving treatment, pointing to a wide gap between detection and care.
Members voiced concern over reports of HIV-positive newborns, mainly from Sindh, and urged the Ministry to clarify their authenticity. The committee called for identifying hotspots, expanding random testing and boosting public awareness, while also flagging unsafe practices such as syringe reuse and unnecessary injections in private clinics. The Ministry cited stigma, low awareness and poor medical practices as key factors behind HIV’s spread, with members advising a shift towards oral medication where feasible.
The committee also reviewed MDCAT-related issues, including vacant seats and repeated seat-switching disputes. While the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) said a window remained open to fill vacant seats, members questioned the reported figures. PMDC’s proposal for a 10% additional quota for students from previous years was discussed, and the regulator was directed to frame a clear and permanent policy to address recurring problems.
Serious dissatisfaction was expressed over the performance of the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA), as it emerged that no private hospital or dispensary in Islamabad holds a valid license, despite IHRA’s establishment in 2018. Members cited the absence of a licensing framework, weak inspections and failure to regulate pricing, welfare obligations and patient rights.
Concerns were also raised over detention of patients and dead bodies over unpaid bills, unregulated charges, illegal clinics, unsafe abortions and over-the-counter sale of medicines without prescriptions. Allegations of harassment by inspection teams and conflicts of interest within IHRA’s board were discussed.
Private hospitals, including Shifa International Hospital, Farooq Hospital, Kulsoom Hospital and Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital, presented their positions. Farooq Hospital was appreciated for providing 35% welfare care and services under the Sehat Sahulat Program, while Shifa International Hospital was directed to submit detailed welfare data for the past year.
IHRA informed the committee that its new CEO had recently assumed charge, inspection teams had increased, a registration board had been formed and online licensing would be launched before the next meeting. The authority was given one month to process complete license applications and ensure public display of rate lists at hospitals, laboratories and pharmacies.
The committee further directed that private hospitals offering teaching facilities must adopt the Sehat Sahulat Card, and called for legislative amendments to make denial of emergency care a criminal offence.
The Ministry was also asked to brief the committee on preparedness related to the Nipah virus, cross-border health service SOPs and reports of two confirmed monkeypox deaths, including surveillance and containment measures.
The meeting concluded with directions to present a comparative review of the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council Ordinance, 2025 at the next session, along with expert input and private sector representation.
