Govt. Taking Steps to Regulate Medical College Fees and Protect Students
The government is taking measures to regulate medical college fees and safeguard students from excessive charges, according to Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Nelson Azeem. He made this statement in the National Assembly on August 25, 2026.
In response to a calling attention notice regarding high fees and charges at medical colleges and private hospitals in Islamabad, Azeem revealed that a committee chaired by the Prime Minister had reviewed the fees charged by these institutions. Initially, the committee set the fee at Rs1.8 million per student.
Some colleges disputed this decision, arguing that they offered superior facilities and services at greater expense. The committee requested these colleges to justify their requests based on their amenities and expenditures.
A total of 61 medical colleges appealed, providing documentation to support their cases. After careful consideration, the committee found 35 institutions' appeals valid and permitted them to charge Rs2.1 million.
Azeem announced the launch of a portal where students and parents can submit complaints against medical colleges. Notices have been sent to 45 institutions, threatening action if they fail to comply with tax requirements or justify their fees.
He emphasized that private medical colleges must adhere to the fee structure set by the committee. Another committee has been established to ensure compliance and take action against non-conforming institutions.
Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal, provided additional context, stating that 65% of medical seats in Pakistan are in the private sector, while the remaining 35% are in government medical colleges. With approximately 22,000 medical seats nationwide, a significant number of students (around 96,000) passed the MDCAT last year, but only about 22,000 secured admission.
Kamal highlighted the trend of Pakistani students pursuing medical education abroad, particularly in Central Asian countries, where educational quality may be inconsistent. He suggested that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) should guide students through a list of recognized foreign medical colleges available on their website.
The minister proposed prioritizing students who have passed the MDCAT for medical education abroad. He noted that Pakistani students spend approximately $800 million in foreign exchange on medical education annually. Additionally, he mentioned that while government medical seats are limited, a three-year moratorium has been placed on establishing new private medical colleges, excluding government medical colleges from this restriction.