Islamabad: In a concerted effort to overhaul health sector operations and elevate standards, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, the Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Health, has issued directives to the Ministry of Health and its affiliated bodies to expedite government processes and ensure timely reforms.
According to Press Information Department, during a meeting held at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mukhtar emphasized the urgency of meeting deadlines for assigned targets and stressed the importance of transparency in the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT). He urged for an immediate action on applications concerning the verification of PMDC degrees, along with registration and licensing issues. Dr. Mukhtar also called for enhanced collaboration with federal and provincial universities to develop a unified strategy for conducting examinations.
In his address, Dr. Mukhtar highlighted the need for stringent measures against the leakage of examination papers and insisted that any complaints regarding such leaks be swiftly addressed. He mentioned that subsequent to meetings with stakeholders, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) must provide written updates to the Ministry of Health.
Furthermore, Dr. Mukhtar instructed that applications for the registration of new medical colleges should be processed within a week to raise the global competitiveness of Pakistan’s medical education sector. He also mandated the Executive Director of PIMS Hospital to streamline both internal and external cleaning systems and adhere to the timeline of the set targets.
Announcing plans to upgrade the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM) Hospital, Dr. Mukhtar ordered the hospital’s Executive Director to submit improvement proposals within ten days. Additionally, he expressed the need to develop a comprehensive plan to boost health tourism in Pakistan, recognizing its potential to contribute significantly to the country’s economy.