M. Waqar Bhatti
Islamabad: The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) Board is facing severe criticism for selecting Dr. Ahmed Raza Kazmi as its new CEO. Dr. Kazmi’s contract as Director of the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) was previously not renewed due to alleged unsatisfactory performance.
This decision has drawn outrage from healthcare professionals and officials, who have raised concerns about merit violations and Dr. Kazmi’s controversial track record.
Officials confirmed that Dr. Kazmi, who ranked third on the merit list of shortlisted candidates, received an offer letter despite serious reservations about his suitability for the role.
His candidacy was further questioned as he was reportedly hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, during the interview process.
The CEO position had been vacant since the resignation of its founding CEO, Dr. Quaid Saeed, who stepped down in protest against the formation of a controversial IHRA Board.
Dr. Saeed cited conflicts of interest as his reason for resigning, noting that Board members included individuals who own and operate private healthcare facilities in Islamabad. Critics argue this compromises the impartiality required to enforce healthcare standards and protect patient safety.
The IHRA Board, chaired by Dr. Riaz Shahbaz Janjua, who owns a private medical college and holds an MBBS degree from the Dominican Republic, is being accused of appointing a “weak and compliant” candidate by bypassing more qualified contenders.
Questions have also been raised about Dr. Janjua’s qualifications and potential conflicts of interest given his role as a private hospital operator in Islamabad.
Officials from the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination expressed frustration, revealing that three top candidates from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Dr. Khalid Masud, who served as the Executive Director of PIMS Islamabad were rejected based on dubious intelligence reports.
These candidates included highly qualified professionals, such as a Medical Superintendent and senior officials from the provincial healthcare commission.
“Qualified individuals were sidelined to accommodate someone who would align with the Board’s interests,” a senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated. “This sets a dangerous precedent for healthcare governance in the federal capital.”
The composition of the IHRA Board has sparked concern within the healthcare sector. Members include Dr. Janjua and Dr. Naeem Malik, both private healthcare facility owners in Islamabad. Allegations have surfaced that these members have reportedly exploited their positions for personal and institutional gain.
Sources claim Dr. Janjua’s hospital was allegedly registered without paying the prescribed fees, and inspections of private facilities were reportedly halted under his directive.
Additionally, the Board includes a homeopath from Hyderabad who reportedly travels to Islamabad for meetings, charging significant fees. Members allegedly bill Rs. 25,000 per meeting, adding unnecessary financial strain to the authority.
The appointment of Dr. Kazmi is part of a broader trend of merit bypasses in federal roles. Recently, a similarly controversial appointment was made at PEMRA, where an unqualified individual secured a top executive position.
Critics warn these actions undermine the credibility of regulatory bodies and compromise healthcare service quality. As part of its mandate, IHRA is responsible for maintaining healthcare establishment registers, issuing licenses, setting service delivery standards, and investigating regulation violations. Experts fear that under compromised leadership, IHRA will struggle to fulfill its responsibilities effectively.
Healthcare professionals have questioned how a medical degree holder and private medical college owner could be appointed to lead IHRA and why operators of private healthcare facilities, with vested interests, are permitted to regulate the public and private healthcare sectors.
They also expressed dismay over the selection of a less competent candidate despite highly qualified individuals being shortlisted.
Dr. Quaid Saeed’s resignation and the ensuing controversies have prompted calls for an independent inquiry into the IHRA Board’s activities. Experts caution that regulatory decisions influenced by personal interests could jeopardize patient safety and erode public trust in healthcare governance.
“When regulators are compromised by conflicts of interest, the entire system suffers, and the public pays the price,” a healthcare expert warned.
Despite multiple attempts, IHRA Chairman Dr. Riaz Shahbaz Janjua (who was sent a written questionnaire and approached on phone) and officials from the Ministry of National Health Services were unavailable for comment.
Insiders, however, suggest Dr. Janjua’s position remains secure due to backing from a powerful government figure.
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