PMA Lahore Executive Committee Calls for Elected PMDC, Condemns Health Sector Irregularities

By Farzana Chaudhry
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Lahore was held at PMA House, Lahore, under the chairmanship of PMA Central President Dr. Izhar Ahmed Chaudhry.
The meeting was attended by Professor Dr. Shahid Malik, Professor Ashraf Nizami, Dr. Aram Shehzadi, Dr. Maryam Fatima, Dr. Bushra Haq, Dr. Muhammad Sadiq, Dr. Ahmed Naeem Akhtar, along with a large number of other executive committee members.
After detailed deliberations on key issues confronting the health sector, the committee adopted several important resolutions.
The meeting stressed that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) must function as a fully elected, autonomous, and transparent body, free from political interference, in order to safeguard professional standards and the independence of the medical profession.
Serious concern was also expressed over the reported irregularities in the MDCAT examination. The PMA urged the relevant authorities to conduct immediate investigations and take transparent action to ensure justice for affected students and protect their academic futures.
The committee strongly condemned what it termed unconstitutional and aggressive raids on clinics and hospitals conducted by unprofessional teams of the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) under the guise of Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS). These actions were described as harassment of doctors, an attack on professional autonomy, and an attempt to generate revenue rather than improve healthcare standards.
The meeting further denounced the removal of Gynecology and maternal and child health services from the Sehat Card facility in Punjab, calling the decision irresponsible and contrary to the basic health rights of women. The PMA demanded the immediate restoration of these essential services, warning that their exclusion disproportionately affects the most vulnerable segments of society.
During the meeting, it was also announced that the Pakistan Medical Association will hold its International Medical Conference from May 15 to 17, 2026, at Hotel PC, Lahore. The conference will feature participation from national and international medical experts and focus on recent research, innovations, and advancements in the field of medicine.
The PMA Lahore reiterated that the government must urgently address the legitimate concerns of the medical community and ensure that the health sector remains free from political influence and injustice, while prioritizing public health above all else.