Karachi, In a significant move towards improving healthcare services in Pakistan, the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination has unanimously passed the Pakistan Emergency Treatment Coverage Programme Bill, 2023. This groundbreaking bill, moved by Senator Sania Nishtar, is set to ensure the provision of free emergency healthcare in hospitals across the nation.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the meeting, chaired by Senator Dr. Muhammad Humayun Mohmand at the Parliament House, witnessed the passage of the bill with certain amendments. The bill’s primary objective is to guarantee immediate medical assistance for public health and safety, marking a pivotal step in healthcare reform.
Additionally, the committee received an extensive briefing on the Sehat Sahulat Program, currently under the administration of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination. The program, with federal government support, covers 241 million people across Pakistan, including ICT, AJK, GB, and Tharparkar district of Sindh. A rigorous monitoring system, supported by the Centralized Management Information System (CMIS) and monitored by NADRA, ensures effective oversight, and measures have been taken to eliminate fraudulent hospitals from the program. The committee also discussed the availability of a toll-free number and SMS service for public feedback and beneficiary status checks.
The meeting further explored the status of the College of Nursing PIMS Islamabad, focusing on student enrollment, challenges, and the planned increase of 50 seats in the Generic BS Nursing Program. The Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) informed the committee about the ongoing induction process for these additional seats, emphasizing the urgent need to enhance nursing education to meet health sector demands.
The committee also addressed the delay in recruitment for various vacancies at PIMS hospital due to procedural issues with the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), with plans for a more detailed discussion in a subsequent meeting.
Senators Fawzia Arshad, Sania Nishtar, and Bahramand Khan Tangi, along with Dr. Nadeem Jan, Minister for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, and other senior officials, attended the meeting, reflecting a collective commitment to advancing Pakistan’s healthcare system.