ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Additional Attorney General to submit complete details of government, private and semi-government medical and dental colleges and number of hospitals in the country after getting information from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) in 10 days.
The court also directed all four provincial Advocate Generals to submit separate reports regarding medical colleges and hospitals in their respective provinces within two weeks.
The three-member bench of the apex court headed by Acting Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain heard the suo-moto notice case regarding death of more than 90 heart patients under treatment in Punjab Institute of Cardiology on account of spurious drugs.
During the course of proceedings, the counsel for PMDC submitted report regarding medical colleges. The court termed the report incomplete and directed to submit new concise report.
Acting CJP Saqib Nisar remarked that the healthy life of every citizen should be our priority and it is necessary to provide education and health facilities to them as the constitution guarantees life security.
Justice Saqib remarked that the doctor has an important role in the health sector and the court would examine the process of issuing No Objection Certificate (NoC) for establishment of medical college by PMDC and it would also check facilities provided by these medical colleges.
He asked whether all facilities were being provided to public and private medical colleges and hospitals. "We have witnessed that spurious medicines were being supplied to hospitals in Lahore while some hospitals even do not have stitches machines," he added. He observed that some medical colleges were working without hospitals and asked how they arrange practical training for their medical students.
A 500-bed hospital was necessary for registration of a medical and dental college, he added.
Justice Saqib remarked that ensuring provision of basic human rights was the responsibility of the courts and the court would not ignore the matter.
Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman remarked that many people lost their lives in Layyah District due to poisonous sweets and no facility was available in the local hospitals for their treatment.
The court sought reports and adjourned hearing of the case till third week of May.
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