MNAs demand action as NA panel take up ‘conflict of interest’ in IHRA
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Chairman Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani presides over a meeting at the Parliament House on May 2, 2025. — Screengrab via Facebook@NationalAssemblyOfPakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) is concerned over the alleged conflict of interests, members of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR & C) called for immediate reform of the Federal Ministry of Health on Friday.
Lawmakers raised the alarm following the allegations that several members of the IHRA board own private medical colleges and hospitals, raising questions about the neutrality of regulatory decisions.
Presiding over a meeting in the Parliament House, Chairman Dr Mahesh Kumar Milani questioned how IHRA standards could implement the standards when its board members had direct trade interests. MNA Zahra Wudod Fatimi flagged this moral violation, and the Special Health Secretary confirmed that the IHRA had the authority to inspect such facilities.
In a parallel concern, MNA Shysta Parvees criticized the dissatisfaction of psychological clinics and drug rehabilitation centers, citing the lack of regulation even after the Noor Makadam case. “Every street has a psychological clinic, but no one is doing regularly that can call himself a psychologist,” he said, expressing regret that his mental health legislation has been ignored for several months.
Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal promised to support, while DG Health Dr. Shabana Saleem noted that the Allied Health Councils currently monitor the psychologist’s license.
Anger at the Secretary of the Pakistan Nursing and Midfari Council (PN & MC). The chair of the committee ruled that the secretary had no authority to malicious parliamentarians and demanded a formal investigation.
The committee advised the Prime Minister to write for accountability and directed Health Minister Mustafa Kamal to take legal action and report.
The committee also discussed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (Amendment) Bill 2024 and Islamabad Health Care Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2024, both transferred through MNA Shysta Prose. Concerns over mental health services and lack of regulations were raised in private recovery centers. Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill 2024 was postponed in the absence of Moore by MNA Abdul Qadir Patel.
Despite the results of the pre -harassment against them in 2022 and the committee’s recommendation to eliminate it, the lawmakers expressed their anger over the rehabilitation of the doctor at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM).
The doctor defended himself by presenting the staff absentee records and claimed that his strict discipline was the main reason for the reaction. The minister assured that the doctor would return to his ENT expert role.
The committee also addressed the allegations of recruitment irregularities in the IHRA, according to reports that appointments have been made in violation of advertising standards. The minister was urged to get speedy treatment.
Minister Mustafa Kamal informed the committee on broader reforms and said that the people will soon witness a significant improvement in the provision of health care. He confirmed that an FIR has been lodged against the officials of the Pakistan Nursing Council and has reaffirmed his commitment to resolve the crisis.
“We do not want another Kalabag Dam scene,” he said, “We will fix it responsibly,” he said, adding that the president and secretary of the council have eliminated the decisions of the nursing representatives.
MNA Rafiullah criticized the ministry for a slow response about corruption, alleging that the mafias had been accused of manipulating the system. He welcomed the registration of an FIA case and emphasized further accountability.
Responding, Minister Kamal said that if some revelations are now made public, the institution will cause loss. He said, “If I talk today, it will not be good for anyone. Give me a few weeks,” he said. “He said soon promising action. The meeting calls for reforms and regular follow -up sessions to ensure accountability in the health sector.
