Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination convened at the Parliament House under the leadership of Senator Aamir Waliuddin Chishti to scrutinize significant healthcare governance issues, including rehabilitation services, medical regulation, public health policy, and institutional performance.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the meeting was attended by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, Senator Nadeem Bhutto, Senator Sarmad Ali, the Federal Minister for National Health Services, and the Secretary Health. Senior officials from relevant institutions provided briefings on the topics under discussion.
The committee was briefed on the operations of the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM), which offers comprehensive rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities. Officials highlighted the growing demand for healthcare services due to Islamabad’s population increase from 1.94 million in 1998 to an estimated 3.5 million in 2026. Of the allocated Rs641.879 million budget for NIRM, approximately 70 percent has been utilized.
Concerns regarding equitable access to healthcare were raised, and committee members requested detailed data on patient treatment and financial utilization. The Federal Health Minister discussed public health interventions, including the introduction of the cervical cancer vaccine, despite resistance encountered during the campaign.
Maternal health indicators were another concern, with the minister reporting that approximately 11,000 women die annually from pregnancy-related complications. The committee called for stronger public health awareness campaigns and improved vaccination outreach.
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s Disciplinary Committee’s performance was reviewed, with 498 complaints registered and 114 doctors’ licenses suspended. The committee requested detailed information on disciplinary actions and pending cases.
The Health Services Academy’s academic performance and research output were also reviewed, with the committee informed of its ranking among the top 15 institutions by the Higher Education Commission and its contribution to public health research.
Additionally, the committee considered the Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (Regulation) Bill, 2025, aimed at regulating vape product use, especially among minors. Financial implications of the bill were discussed, with plans to involve the Ministry of Finance and the Cabinet for further scrutiny.
The committee expressed concerns about non-compliance with previous directives on formula milk regulations and the rising cost of medicines, planning to involve the Competition Commission of Pakistan in addressing these issues.