‘Liver, kidney transplant on govt expense in future’

State minister says IHRA was established to regulate healthcare sector

ISLAMABAD:

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan on Friday said that in near future kidney and liver transplantation facility would be provided to people at government expenses.

While responding to the questions in Senate, the state minister recalled said that during 2013 to 2018, the PTI government had taken the initiative and launched the health card programme in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Initially, it was up to Rs500,000 but, now it had reached up to Rs1 million, he added.

In near future kidney, liver transplantation and surgeries will also be on the government expenses, he informed the upper house.

He further said that Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority was established in 2018 under Islamabad Healthcare Regulations Act, 2018 to regulate the healthcare sector to ensure provision of quality healthcare services in Islamabad.

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It is an initiative to promote healthcare safety with a mandate to provide regulation and supervision in all forms and manifestations to the healthcare sector, both in private and public, he added.

The Islamabad Healthcare Regulation Act, 2018 empowers the authority to investigate the complaint relating to medical negligence by a healthcare provider or healthcare professional.

While, the powers conferred under section 29, the authority may impose fine to the offender up to Rs1 million.

Under Section 3 of the PMC Act 2020 to regulate and control the medical profession, it has power to initiate disciplinary proceedings against any medical or dental practitioner in respect of any medical negligence or misconduct.

While deciding on such disciplinary action, penalties are imposed upon doctors which include suspension of license for certain period, permanent cancellation of license or imposition of fine.