Senate panel launches investigation into excessive medical college fees

ISLAMABAD: A Senate panel focused on the health matters launched an investigation into allegations of inflated fees at both, the public and private medical colleges.

A newly established two-member sub-committee has been tasked with investigating the claims, with a time frame set for the submission of a comprehensive fee data from the medical colleges involved.

The sub-committee is chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan.

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Concerns were voiced during the session regarding the absence of a mandated 4 per cent discount for students making lump sum payments. The committee stated that a standardised fees structure across Islamabad’s medical colleges was necessary,

The committee also voiced its intentions to enforce a uniform fee structure across the capital.

Senator Irfan-ul-Haque Siddiqui, the architect of the initiative, said that he was dissatisfied with the current state of affairs. He questioned the accountability of the institutions that breached existing regulations.

The Health Service Coordinator reveled plans for an extensive review of all medical colleges starting in November. They promised that any overcharged fee would be reimbursed to the students.

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Siddiqui cautioned that he would bring the issue before the Privileges Committee if appropriate actions were not taken. He also criticised the high fee structure, suggesting that medical colleges charging Rs2.8 million should have their license revoked.

The other committee member agreed with Siddiqui, and advocated for stringent measures to limit fees and safeguard students from financial exploitation.