Medical education: ‘There’s substance to irregularity claims’

PMDC, Health Dept submit replies on ex UHS VC’s application.

LAHORE: “The points raised by the former University of Health Sciences (UHS) vice chancellor (VC) in his application highlighting certain irregularities in some private medical colleges are factual,” the Health Department has stated in its reply submitted to the chief secretary.

The Supreme Court’s Human rights Cell had sought a reply from the chief secretary last month in response to the application submitted by former UHS VC Prof Malik Hussain Mubbasher.

Prof Mubbasher had accused the University Medical and Dental College, University of Lahore; the Azra Naheed Medical College, Lahore; the Amina Anayat Medical College, Shekihupura; and the Continental Medical College, Lahore of violating the regulatory regime. The SC had also sought a response from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), telling the Council to brief the court on the policies, affiliation, fee structure, admission criteria and faculty of the named colleges.  The court has given the chief secretary and the PMDC till May 28 for the submission of their replies.

A PMDC official who talked to The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity said that the council had submitted its report on anomalies in the admission policies, exorbitant fee structure, cosmetic faculty and issue of credibility of ownership as mentioned in the complainant’s application.

He said the points raised by Prof Mubbassher were supported by facts.

Administrations of the colleges involved have denied any irregularities.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2012.