Islamabad: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, (PM&DC) has decided to implement a uniform fee structure for private medical and dental colleges, aiming to curb the rising cost of medical education and address widespread concerns over affordability. The move comes amid growing criticism of private institutions for imposing exorbitant tuition fees on students.
The final decision on the standardized fee structure is expected in an upcoming PM&DC meeting, following directives from the Senate subcommittee on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination.
The sub-committee, chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, has been pushing for strict regulation of tuition fees. She highlighted that since 2018, private medical colleges have increased their fees from Rs 800,000 per year to as high as Rs 3 million in 2023-24, calling it a blatant exploitation of students and their families.
In response to these concerns, the sub-committee has instructed PM&DC to take immediate action against non-compliant institutions, including revoking the licenses of colleges that fail to implement the revised fee structure within two weeks.
Additionally, it has proposed reimbursement for students who were overcharged in recent years.
The issue of skyrocketing tuition fees has been under scrutiny for over a decade. In 2012, PM&DC capped annual fees at Rs 500,000, allowing only a 5% annual increase, but many institutions disregarded this regulation. Similarly, in 2018, the Supreme Court fixed the fee at Rs 850,000 per year, yet private colleges continued charging significantly higher amounts.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also taken notice of the issue, forming a high-level committee, led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, to assess and revise tuition fees at private medical institutions.
The Senate sub-committee has warned that if PM&DC fails to enforce its decision, it will push for legislative measures to regulate tuition fees effectively.
With the deadline for compliance approaching, students and their families are eager for a resolution. PM&DC has assured the public that a fair and transparent fee policy will soon be finalized in consultation with key stakeholders, including private medical college representatives, education experts, and government officials. Further details on the new fee structure are expected to be announced shortly.
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