In a strongly worded critique during a Senate Standing Committee on Health’s meeting here on Tuesday, Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal criticized the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), calling it a ‘mafialike’ organization plagued by corruption and gross mismanagement.

He lamented the lack of his formal authority to initiate muchneeded reforms, despite having limited verbal influence over the PNC. The Minister revealed that the PNC has suffered significant institutional damage due to internal dysfunction and emphasized the urgency for restructuring.

In response, the Chairman and members of the committee extended their unequivocal support, encouraging the Minister to propose legislative amendments aimed at restoring transparency and accountability within the PNC. They unanimously agreed to assist in efforts to enhance the PNC’s efficiency and governance.

To outline a comprehensive reform strategy, the Minister proposed an incamera meeting where actionable steps for transforming the PNC will be presented. In another development, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) briefed the committee on the issue of misleading advertisements related to baby formula milk.

Officials clarified that under the DRAP Act, 2012 and the Alternative Medicines and Health Products (Enlistment) Rules, 2014, baby milk and food are categorized as Health and OTC Products rather than drugs. It was revealed that a dual regulatory framework had long existed, causing confusion over jurisdiction between federal and provincial bodies.

The matter, under discussion since February 2024 at the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the Board of Investment (BOI), has now been resolved. It was decided that the regulation of baby milk and food products will fall solely under provincial food departments, while DRAP will continue to regulate products used for special medical needs.

Amendments to the relevant rules have been vetted by the Law and Justice Division, and a summary has been submitted to the Cabinet Committee for Legislative Cases (CCLC) for final approval. This matter will also be further discussed in a forthcoming incamera meeting.

Additionally, the committee expressed serious concern over the absence of the Vice Chancellor of the Health Services Academy, who was officially summoned but failed to appear.

The Chairman recommended referring the issue to the Privilege Committee to determine the cause of his noncompliance. The Federal Health Minister also criticized the noshow, stating that no prior intimation was given to the committee regarding the Vice Chancellor’s absence.

The committee meeting highlighted pressing governance issues in key health institutions, and members reiterated their commitment to accountability, transparency, and institutional reform.