Ministry to regulate medical college fees

ISLAMABAD:

The government is taking steps to regulate medical college fees and protect students from excessive charges, Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services Azeem told the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Responding to a calling attention notice about high fees and charges at medical colleges and private hospitals in Islamabad, he said a committee formed under the chairmanship of the prime minister had reviewed the fees charged by medical colleges.

The committee initially fixed the fee at Rs1.8 million per student.

Some colleges challenged the decision, saying they offered better facilities and services and faced higher expenses. The committee asked them to justify their demands based on their facilities and expenses.

A total of 61 medical colleges submitted appeals along with relevant documents. After reviewing the appeals, the committee found the cases of 35 institutions justified and allowed them to charge Rs2.1 million. Azeem said a portal had also been established for students and their parents to submit complaints against medical colleges.