Opposition voices concern over substandard stents

The members of opposition parties Thursday raised their serious concern over unregistered and substandard stents and lenses and urged the government to take strict action against those involved in sale and purchase of these devices and ensure quality products in the market.
The opposition also urged the government to inform the Parliament about its position over a recent executive order of US President Donald Trump regarding ban on refugees from seven Muslim majority countries.
They said that doctors and officials of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) are involved in sale and purchase of substandard stents, while the government is not taking any solid measures for arresting the culprits playing with the lives of the people.
MQM leader Dr Nikhat Shakeel Khan said while moving a calling attention notice regarding withdrawal of unregistered stents and substandard lenses endangering the precious lives, that the doctors and officials of the DRAP are involved in this regard. She said that a stent valuing Rs6,000 is being installed in a patient at a price of Rs200,000.
PPPP leader Dr Fehmida Mirza said it is very serious situation. She said the government should immediately take action to tackle worsening situation and give exemplary punishment to those found involved in this act.
MNA Ayesha Syed termed the matter very important, saying this is a matter relating to lives of people and thus it should be referred to the standing committee.
Responding to a calling attention notice, Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Mohsin Shah Nawaz Ranjha told the House that action has been initiated against those officials, doctors and hospitals found involved in the use of substandard stents.
He said the Supreme Court has also taken a suo moto notice on use of substandard stents. The parliamentary secretary said there were around 55 stunt manufacturers, whose 25 to 60 products are available in the market.
About US President Donald Trump's ban on refugees from seven Muslim countries, Dr Shireen Mazari said, "We demand the government to give statement on the floor of the House to clarify its position about executive order of US President Donald Trump regarding ban on refugees from seven Muslim majority countries." She said why the government is silent on the issue, adding the British Parliament has also condemned the executive order of the US President.
While supporting views of Shireen Mazari, Dr Nafisa Shah said Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has not given any reaction over the executive order of the US President so far.
Sahibzada Tariqullah said it an important issue and the government should clear its position regarding executive order of the US President for banning refugees from seven Muslim countries.
Responding to a calling attention notice moved by Shahida Akhtar Ali and others regarding eighteen dysfunctional water testing labs of Safe Drinking Water Project and non-payment of salary to 158 scientists and technical staff for the last one year, Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanvir Hussain told the House that these labs are working properly, adding that efforts are under way for sorting out the issue of 158 employees of Safe Drinking Water Project.