News Desk
Islamabad: Dr. Mukhtar Bhurt, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health, informed the National Assembly’s Health Committee that free medicines will be provided to patients visiting only the outpatient departments (OPDs) of hospitals in the federal capital.
The meeting of the Standing Committee on National Health, chaired by Chairman Mahesh Kumar, was held at the Parliament House on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by committee members, Dr. Mukhtar Bhurt, the Prime Minister’s Health Coordinator, along with the Health Secretary and other officials.
During the meeting, committee member Dr. Darshan raised concerns regarding the removal of Dr. Basir from the Ministry of Health. He requested the ministry to invite Dr. Basir for clarification, noting that he had served as both Director and Secretary within the ministry.
The committee chairman highlighted the increasing cases of mental stress and suicides, emphasizing the need for attention to this growing issue. In response, Dr. Mukhtar Bhurt shared that a bill on mental health is currently before the assembly.
Dr. Bhurt also announced that medicines at Polyclinic Hospital would be provided only to entitled individuals. He mentioned the burden of patients from provincial areas, stating that both in-door and entitled out-door patients would receive medication. The committee instructed the Polyclinic to submit written responses to all queries raised during the meeting.
Additionally, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (Amendment) Bill 2024 was presented by Member of Parliament Shaista Parvez.
