Islamabad: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has approved new recommendations regarding fee regulations for private medical and dental colleges, according to sources reported by ARY News on Tuesday.
The recommendations have been sent to a special committee for review, and the final announcement will be made by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as the chairman of the committee for medical education.
As per the proposals, the minimum annual fee for private medical colleges has been set at Rs1.8 million, while the maximum fee is proposed at Rs2.5 million. Previously, a suggestion to set fees between Rs1.2 to Rs1.5 million was rejected by private medical college representatives. Currently, these colleges charge between Rs2.5 million and Rs3.5 million annually.
The new regulations also suggest a 5% increase in annual fees. Additionally, 35% of beds in teaching hospitals affiliated with private medical colleges will be allocated to social welfare patients. Private institutions will also be required to offer at least five scholarships annually and provide a flexible installment plan for underprivileged students.
Representatives from private medical and dental colleges have reportedly agreed to these recommendations.
Read more: PMDC Imposes Ban on Fee Collection by Medical Colleges
In 2012, the PMDC had capped annual fees for private medical colleges at Rs500,000 with a 5% increase each year, but this regulation was largely ignored by many institutions. Despite the PMDC seeking legal input from the health ministry in July last year to standardize fee structures, the issue of high fees remains unresolved after nearly six months.
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