Islamabad: Members of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Health have expressed strong satisfaction with the academic growth, research output and policy relevance of the Health Services Academy, describing it as a rare example of sustained progress within the public sector.
During a meeting held at the academy on Thursday, lawmakers said HSA had moved beyond expectations for a government institution, emerging as a key contributor to public health training, research and evidence based policymaking at the national level.
The meeting of the Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination was chaired by Mahesh Malani and attended by Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, Special Secretary Health Muhammad Aslam Ghauri, HSA Vice Chancellor Shahzad Ali Khan, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council President Rizwan Taj, Director General Health Dr Wali and senior officials from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan.
While commending the academy’s progress, committee members also reviewed follow up on previous recommendations, particularly concerning medicine availability in public sector facilities. Lawmakers raised concerns over reported shortages of diabetes medicines and insulin, as well as inconsistent availability of certain brands.
Members questioned the quality of medicines supplied to parliamentarians at subsidised rates and sought detailed reports on shortages and discounts. Officials informed the committee that drug samples had already been collected from the Parliamentarians’ Dispensary and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, and that laboratory reports would be shared once finalised.
The committee also examined a pharmacy tender awarded to the Federal Government Hospital at a 69 percent discount, seeking clarity on whether the benefit was reaching patients. DRAP officials said inspections were underway in coordination with ICT health authorities and that procurement was conducted under Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules.
Lifestyle medicine and disease prevention featured prominently in the discussion. The federal health minister told the committee that the government was working to reorient the health system from reactive treatment to prevention and wellness. Members suggested formally introducing lifestyle medicine into medical education through PMDC and into provincial curricula, with the chairman directing that the proposal be taken up in the next meeting.
Nursing sector reforms were also discussed in light of recent legal changes. The minister informed lawmakers that notification of the new nursing council was expected shortly and assured that concerns raised by parliamentarians would be addressed in its first meeting, prompting the committee to dispose of the pending amendment bill.
A detailed briefing by the HSA vice chancellor drew significant interest. Prof Shahzad Ali Khan outlined the academy’s evolution as Pakistan’s first public health university, expansion of faculty, training of in service doctors, collaboration with UN agencies and increasing contribution to national health research and policy advice.
He also highlighted HSA’s work on One Health and antimicrobial resistance, noting that long standing gaps were now being addressed. The federal health minister supported this view, warning that excessive antibiotic use in livestock was accelerating resistance in humans and required coordinated national action.
Lawmakers raised questions on admissions policies, faculty recruitment, budgetary constraints, use of artificial intelligence, plagiarism safeguards and representation of students from Balochistan. HSA officials assured the committee that admissions were merit and quota based, recruitment followed due process and all records would be shared for parliamentary review.
Issues related to HIV testing surveys, availability of diagnostic kits and transparency of survey findings were also discussed. The ministry assured members that earlier concerns were being addressed and that detailed updates would be provided in future meetings.
HSA officials also sought parliamentary support in countering what they described as misinformation campaigns, saying some private entities were attempting to undermine the institution despite its performance. Committee members acknowledged the concern and noted that parliamentary oversight could help ensure factual clarity.
The meeting concluded on a constructive note, with lawmakers appreciating the comprehensive briefing and stressing the need for closer coordination between the ministry and its attached departments. Members agreed that strengthening institutions like the Health Services Academy was critical for building credible, evidence driven public health leadership in Pakistan.
Ends