KARACHI: The University of Karachi’s plan to set up a medical college and a hospital on its premises is facing a delay since 2014, Daily Times has learnt.
The KU administration had signed an MOU with the Panjwani Foundation to establish a medical college and hospital on the university premises last year.
“Students have to acquire medical degrees including MBBS and BDS from Jinnah Sindh Medical University, public sector institutions and private medical colleges directly affiliated with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), but the KU has yet to start classes despite announcement of the program in 2014,” Yasir Ahmed said, a student at JSMC said.
“The city’s population has increased manifolds, but medical colleges and hospitals in the public sector have shrunk and the government has been depriving us of professional education in the city.” he concluded.
It was in the mid of 2015, when the VC wrote a letter to the director of Panjwani Foundation and Trust, Nadira Panjwani, for taking steps to immediately initiate the project. An agreement had to be signed for the timeframe for the construction and the launch of MBBS programme after the construction of the medical college.
The KU’s syndicate committee had approved the project and construction site, which spreading over seven acres of land located opposite to the varsity’s main the campus.
Panjwani Foundation and Trust had vowed to provide a grant worth Rs25 million to the university to meet miscellaneous needs for the proposed hospital and college. The KU administration had to provide the same amount from their funds for the project.
It was in 2014 when a row between public sectors universities and Pakistan Medical and Dental Council on the affiliation and recognition of private medical colleges resulted in the PMDC’s decision to invoke affiliation of various universities including KU.
On the other hand, PPP’s Dr Asim Hussain, former chairman of Sindh Higher Education Commission, was at the center of irregularities and misuse of authorities in recognizing and affiliating medical colleges. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is also investigating these charges. KU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Qaiser is also facing charges of illegal appointments in this connection.