HSA crisis deepens as Health Minister raises concerns over VC

Islamabad: The administrative crisis at the Health Services Academy deepened after Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal told a Senate committee that the Vice Chancellor was no longer responding to his calls, while members questioned his authority to continue exercising powers under an Islamabad High Court stay.

The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services also raised serious concerns over governance at HSA and agreed that the matter should be formally taken up with the President of Pakistan, who was identified during the meeting as the Chancellor of the institution.

According to statements made during the meeting, the Vice Chancellor had earlier faced a dismissal decision following proceedings before the Federal Ombudsman. The committee was told that an appeal was later made to the President and that the dismissal decision was maintained, after which the Vice Chancellor obtained a stay from the Islamabad High Court.

The existence of the court stay means the legal dispute remains before the court, and the committee discussion did not amount to a final judicial finding on the allegations raised against the Vice Chancellor.

During a tense exchange, committee members questioned whether a stay order allowed the Vice Chancellor to continue exercising full administrative authority. One member described the stay as a neutral position and questioned who should run the institution while the legal dispute continues.

The Health Minister told the committee that the Vice Chancellor was not listening to his directions and did not even respond to his calls. He also referred to a claim that the court matter might not be heard for about a year.

The meeting also heard questions about administrative appointments at HSA. A participant referred to a person hired on a 98 day contract who was later made Registrar, while discussion also mentioned 89 day contractual arrangements.

Another major issue was harassment. The Health Minister referred to serious allegations connected with the Vice Chancellor and expressed concern about the safety of female students at the academy.

The committee initially took up a matter concerning the alleged eviction of students from Balochistan from HSA hostels. During that discussion, however, attention shifted toward wider questions about the Vice Chancellor’s continuation, institutional management and accountability.

The Vice Chancellor was also criticised for not initially appearing before the committee despite being summoned. An HSA representative later informed members that he was outside the meeting hall, after which he was allowed to appear.

The committee then questioned his legal and administrative status and indicated that other HSA officials could brief members on institutional matters.

Members ultimately agreed that their concerns regarding HSA governance and the Vice Chancellor’s continuation should be formally conveyed to the President.

The committee also said amendments to the Health Services Academy Act could be considered if stronger oversight was required. Members suggested that bringing HSA under more direct administrative control of the Health Ministry could improve parliamentary oversight, accountability and the functioning of the institution.