The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services and Regulations, in its session on Monday, unanimously approved three significant bills for Pakistan Medical and Dental Council – PMDC and Nursing Council. These include the following:
- Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Amendment Bill, 2024
- Pakistan Nursing Council Amendment Bill, 2024
- Islamabad Capital Territory Protection of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Bill, 2023.
During the discussions, Senator Roghani emphasized the critical role of mother’s milk in child nutrition, urging mothers to prioritize breastfeeding over formula milk. Additionally, Senator Awan advocated for stronger parliamentary oversight over the PMDC and Nursing Council.
Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Amendment Bill, 2024
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Amendment Bill, 2024 aims to make changes to the existing laws governing medical and dental practices in Pakistan. Here’s a breakdown of its key points:
Purpose: The primary purpose of the bill is to enhance parliamentary oversight over the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) by amending existing regulations. This oversight ensures that the PMDC operates effectively and in line with governmental objectives.
Scope: The bill likely covers various aspects related to medical and dental practices, including licensing, accreditation, and standards of care. It may introduce new requirements or modify existing ones to improve the quality of healthcare services provided by medical and dental professionals.
Amendments: Specific amendments proposed in the bill might address areas such as professional qualifications, registration procedures, disciplinary actions against practitioners, and regulatory compliance.
Implications: the bill could have significant implications for healthcare professionals, medical and dental institutions, and patients across Pakistan. It may introduce changes in how medical and dental services are regulated and delivered, aiming to enhance overall healthcare quality and patient safety.
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Amendment Bill, 2024 seeks to strengthen regulatory oversight and improve standards within the medical and dental sectors, ultimately benefiting both healthcare providers and the public.
Pakistan Nursing Council Amendment Bill, 2024
The Pakistan Nursing Council Amendment Bill, 2024, proposes changes to the existing regulations governing nursing practices in Pakistan. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
Purpose: The primary objective of the bill is to enhance parliamentary oversight over the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) by amending current legislation. This oversight aims to ensure that the PNC operates efficiently and aligns with governmental objectives in the nursing sector.
Scope: The bill likely covers various aspects related to nursing practices, including licensing, education standards, accreditation of nursing programs, and professional conduct guidelines. It may introduce new provisions or modify existing ones to improve the quality of nursing education and practice across the country.
Amendments: Specific amendments proposed in the bill might address areas such as nursing curriculum development, licensing procedures, disciplinary measures for practitioners, and regulatory compliance standards.
Implications: the bill could have significant implications for nursing professionals, nursing institutions, and healthcare delivery systems in Pakistan. It may bring about changes in how nursing services are regulated, delivered, and monitored, with a focus on enhancing patient care and safety.
The Pakistan Nursing Council Amendment Bill, 2024, seeks to strengthen regulatory oversight and elevate standards within the nursing profession, ultimately benefiting both nursing professionals and the public they serve.
Islamabad Capital Territory Protection of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Bill, 2023
The Islamabad Capital Territory Protection of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Bill, 2023, focuses on safeguarding and promoting breastfeeding and child nutrition within the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). Here’s a breakdown:
Scope: The bill extends to the Islamabad Capital Territory and aims to ensure adequate protection and support for breastfeeding mothers and adequate nutrition for infants and young children.
Objective: The primary objective is to create a legal framework that promotes and protects breastfeeding as the optimal feeding method for infants. It also seeks to ensure that young children receive proper nutrition, which is crucial for their growth and development.
Key Provisions: The bill likely includes provisions that support breastfeeding in public places, prohibit the marketing of breastmilk substitutes, and establish mechanisms for breastfeeding support and education.
Rationale: The bill is essential for improving child health outcomes and reducing infant mortality rates. Breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits to both infants and mothers and plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being of children.
Context: Similar legislation has been passed in other parts of Pakistan, such as the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Act. The federal government’s consideration of this bill aligns with efforts to enact pro-women and child-friendly laws nationwide.
The Islamabad Capital Territory Protection of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Bill, 2023, underscores the importance of breastfeeding and adequate child nutrition for the well-being of infants and young children in the Islamabad Capital Territory.
The committee also addressed concerning trends in maternal and neonatal mortality rates across the nation, highlighting the urgent need for effective strategies to mitigate this issue. Furthermore, discussions focused on concerns regarding the quality and procurement of medicines under the TB control program.
The committee also addressed a public petition concerning the flawed design of auto-lock syringes, which pose potential risks of spreading diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis among drug addicts and rural communities.
DRAP officials provided insights into the guidelines issued for all syringe manufacturers and emphasized the rigorous actions taken against those failing to comply. Notably, two factories in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa were recently sealed by DRAP.
Furthermore, the committee suggested that DRAP should devise a mechanism to recall products from markets where malpractice is suspected.
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