SC seeks report about measures to curb quackery

LAHORE: The Supreme Court on Saturday sought a report from the Punjab Healthcare Commission regarding steps taken to curb the menace of quackery.

The court sought a report from the Punjab Health Department about measures taken for new hospitals and improving working of existing hospitals across the province during the past five years.

The court further ordered Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to decide the applications of two new medical colleges for recognition in the light of its previous orders on the subject.

The bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan passed the orders while hearing a suo motu notice regarding exorbitant fee structure of private medical colleges here at the Supreme Court Lahore Registry.

During the proceedings, the chief justice expressed his dismay over prevalent quackery in the society, besides questioning the performance of Punjab Health Care Commission to curb the menace. The chief Justice also questioned various companies formed in the health department and hiring of officials on big salaries in them.

However, Khawaja Salman Rafique, Provincial Minister for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education, apprised that the government established various new hospitals in the province, besides enhancing facilities in the existing hospitals.

A counsel on behalf of Al-Aleem Medical College apprised the court that the PMDC had conducted the inspection of the college for recognition purpose and final decision would be made by the Council on April 12. He also informed that University of Health Sciences had also sent a list of 100 candidates for admissions.

A PMDC representative submitted that the Council received two more applications from two medical colleges, including Wateen Medical College, Rawalpindi and Muhammad Medical College Kharpur for recognition.

Meanwhile, to a query, a Railways senior officer apprised the bench that the department had suffered a loss of Rs 60 billion. He, however, excused from justifying the losses saying that he dealt with operations wing.

At this, the bench summoned the Railways minister and secretary along with audited reports to explain the losses.

The matter was adjourned till next week.