Quacks, fake dentists: National Assembly body wants law against dubious advertisements

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has recommended preparation of draft of legislation for imposing ban on advertisements of unqualified health services providers and fake dentists. The committee met with MNA Mrs Belum Husnain in the chair at Parliament House on Saturday.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, MNAs Dr Donya Aziz, Fazal Ali Shah Jeelani, Samina Mushtaq Pugganwala, Nuzhat Sadiq, Shireen Arshad Khan and others attended the meeting. After the meeting, Dr Donya told Business Recorder that members had expressed serious concern on advertisements of quacks and fake dentists. She said that the Federal and provincial governments should take this issue seriously and take action against fake doctors/dentists who create more problems for patients, instead of curing them.
She said that the members proposed preparation of legislation in this regard and asked the Minister for Information and Broadcasting to take initiative in stopping the advertisements of quacks and fake dentists in both print and electronic media. She said that the Minister told the committee that the issue related to Pakistan Medical & Dental Council, which is under Health Ministry. She said that the Minister was of the view that the law already exists but quacks are not covered under it. The Minister said that according to the law, professional doctors could not give advertisements in the media.
Donya said that the Minister assured the committee that his ministry would take up this issue with Health Ministry for preparing legislation to impose ban on their advertisements. Earlier, the committee deferred, to next meeting, consideration of private member's Bill titled 'Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, 2009', moved by Donya Aziz.
The Minister informed the committee that the government strongly believes in right of access to information relating to public bodies. He said that to remove obstacles in the existing legislation and to further streamline the process of obtaining information from public bodies, a comprehensive bill has been drafted by the Ministry after getting input from provincial governments, media organisations and stakeholders. This would be tabled in the Parliament in due course of time; therefore, the bill moved by Dr Donya may be deferred for the time being.
He assured the committee that all suggestions of the MNA would be incorporated in the proposed legislation. The committee agreed with the Minister and decided to defer consideration of the Bill as the ministry also wanted to table a comprehensive bill in this regard and both will be clubbed.
Shireen Arshad Khan of PML-N raised the issue about safety of journalists working in conflict zones, and Wage Board Award for newspaper employees. Committee chairperson asked the Ministry to ensure safety of journalists working in conflict zones. The Committee expressed condolence for the deceased journalists who lost their lives on duty. About Wage Board Award to journalists, Kaira said that Ministry for Labour and Manpower would resolve this issue.