BY: ANI Correspondent:
ISLAMABAD — The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C), chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, reviewed a range of health-related issues, including regulation of private healthcare, scholarships for Balochistan students, infant formula advertisements, the BDS programme and the PIMS inquiry.
The committee deferred the Islamabad Healthcare Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, directing the Ministry of Health to review the proposed amendments in consultation with Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, the bill’s mover.
The committee also reviewed scholarship and funding issues faced by students from Balochistan studying nursing and other medical disciplines. The Health Minister informed members that the issue had been resolved and affected students would now be allowed admission to the fifth semester.
Infant Formula Advertisements
The committee expressed strong dissatisfaction with PEMRA over the presentation of infant formula advertisements, particularly the small English-language disclaimer stating that “mother’s milk is best for the baby.”
On the recommendation of Senator Shahzeb Durrani, the committee directed that formula milk advertisements carry prominent warnings similar to cigarette-pack warnings and clearly state through voice-over that infant formula cannot replace breast milk.
PEMRA was also directed to use the mandatory five percent free public-service airtime for a nationwide breastfeeding awareness campaign.
BDS Programme
The committee noted that its recommendation to retain the four-year BDS programme had been accepted by the government and PMDC. The four-year academic BDS programme will continue across Pakistan, followed by the mandatory house job, instead of shifting to a five-year academic programme.
Allied Health Degrees
The committee decided that graduates in Microbiology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology who completed their degrees before 2026 would be allowed to complete an additional one-year course and register with the Allied Health Professionals Council (AHPC).
New degree programmes, including BS Medical Microbiology, Clinical Biochemistry and BS Biotechnology (Health), were also proposed.
PIMS Inquiry
The committee reviewed findings of an interim inquiry into the PIMS incident and was informed that criminal and departmental action had been proposed against eight suspended senior hospital officials, including former PIMS Executive Director Dr. Imran Sikandar and the Head of the Neonatal Department.
The Health Ministry and PIMS administration said a request had been submitted to the Ministry of Interior for criminal action against those held responsible for alleged administrative negligence.
The committee expressed serious displeasure over the failure to register an FIR directly with police. Chairman Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti termed the matter criminal negligence and directed that an FIR be registered forthwith, those responsible be arrested and their names placed on the Exit Control List (ECL).
