PM insists MTI Ordinance is not privatization but part of govt’s hospitals' reform plan

Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday that Punjab Medical Teaching Institutions (MTI) (Reforms) Ordinance 2019 was not privatisation but a part of the government's public sector hospitals' reform plan.

The premier took to his Twitter and clarified that the hospitals will remain government hospitals and the MTI ordinance will enable improved and modern management of public sector hospitals.

"This is NOT privatization but part of our public sector hospitals' reform plan. The hospitals will remain government hospitals. Better managed hospitals will mean better facilities for patients," the PM emphasized.

On Wednesday, the Punjab Medical Teaching Institutions (Reforms) Ordinance 2019 promulgated after the approval of Prime Minister Imran Khan. The ordinance envisages privatisation of major state-run hospitals.

The MTI Act/Ordinance is to enable improved & modern management of public sector hospitals. This is NOT privatization but part of our public sector hospitals' reform plan.The hospitals will remain Govt hospitals. Better managed hospitals will mean better facilities for patients.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 5, 2019

According to the MTI Ordinance, the government hospitals will be run by Board of Governors (BoGs) which shall consist of all members from the private sector. The ordinance also states that each hospital will have a BoG that will have overall superintendence and control over the functions and administration of a medical teaching institution.