Health in question: PHC seeks govt reply over PGMI dissolution

Advocate Mian Mohibullah Kakakhel said PGMI was shifted to a medical complex in Hayatabad in 1997

PESHAWAR:

Calling the Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI) Peshawar a prestigious entity of the province, the Peshawar High Court chief justice on Thursday stayed its dissolution. The court issued notices to the K-P chief secretary, health secretary, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and College of Physicians and Surgeons to submit replies.

PHC Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel, heading a division bench, sought an explanation for the dissolution of PGMI which was established in 1984. It was hearing a petition filed by Pakistan Medical Association President Dr Haroon who has challenged the dissolution.

Representing the petitioner, Advocate Mian Mohibullah Kakakhel argued PGMI was a first-of-its-kind institute established to produce specialists and experienced doctors in K-P. Kakakhel argued it was the only institution in the region imparting medical education at the postgraduate level.

He said PGMI was shifted to a medical complex in Hayatabad in 1997. Kakakhel informed the bench the Provincial Development Working Party allocated Rs280 million for the institution to equip it with state-of-the-art laboratories, an auditorium and skill development centres.

The advocate claimed the K-P government introduced an amendment to Rule 09 (7) of the Medical and Teaching Institutions Reforms Act 2015 to find a way to dissolve it.

“Before its dissolution, the provincial government directed authorities to bring further reforms to improve it,” he said.

He requested the bench declare the provincial government’s step to dissolve the PGMI null and void. The bench, after hearing the arguments, stayed the dissolution and sought replies from the provincial government and PMDC.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2016.