NA Body Discusses Medical Consultancy Bill 2016

NA body discusses medical consultancy bill 2016

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Nov, 2016 ) : National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination on Thursday discussed Medical Consultancy and Other Services (Rationalization of Fees) Bill, 2016.

The committee meeting chaired by MNA Khalid Hussain Magsi was briefed on the bill which was moved by Dr Nikhat Shakeel Khan MNA. The chairman committee said that more focus should be on providing better medical services to poor people of the country.

The committee was informed that all concerning aspects were covered in the bill. It was informed that medical practitioners working with hospitals were charging heavy fees from patients and there was difference in their fees like same doctor gets Rs 1,500 at one hospital while he charges Rs 2,000 per patient at another hospital.

MNA Dr Nikhat Shakeel Khan said that doctors' fees could be categorized through this bill. She said that poor people were facing hardships in availing better healthcare services at hospitals. She said that private medical practice of medical practitioners should be under regulations.

The committee was informed that same bill was presented by the government side. The summary of the bill will be presented to the cabinet, Director General Health informed the committee. Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar said that after 18th amendment, the Federal health ministry was limited to the federal capital.

She added the concerned bill was related with Islamabad. She said that the major issue was implementation of existing laws. She said that 99 percent of blood banks in the federal capital were being properly regulated.

She added population growth was main issue that resulted increase in gap between demand and supply of many services including healthcare. Representatives of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) informed that the association had received a letter from the ministry concerned covering 14 points, however only two points were implemented during last 10 months and urged to implement all points for betterment of the pharma industry.

They said that the pharmaceutical industry was playing a vital role in the development of a health society and economy. They said that better health service can only be ensured with the help of competitive pharmaceutical industry capable of producing safe, effective and affordable medicines.

The committee also discussed HIV/AIDS (Safety ad Control) BIll, 2013 moved by Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho MNA and Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) (Amendment) Bill, 2016 moved by Dr Fouzia Hameed MNA. APP/ya/rn