PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has planned massive reformsacross Pakistan in the health sector.

PTI is likely to bring back top medical professionals from abroad toimplement the new health policy.

PTI to implement the Medical Teaching Institutions Reforms Act 2015 in therest of the country, particularly in Punjab, after having introduced it inKhyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2015.

It also plans to introduce changes to the Pakistan Medical and DentalCouncil (PMDC) and Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and givethe country its national health policy.

PTI chairman Imran Khan, who is prime minister-in-waiting, has decided toutilise the services of his cousin Dr Nausherwan Burki, the US-based seniorpulmonologist. Dr Nausherwan Burki was the architect of MTI Act 2015 underwhich health reforms were implemented in KP.

Dr Burki and the PTI-led coalition government in KP had faced a lot ofresistance from certain doctors associations and other health workers inimplementation of the health reforms. The implantation process was delayedfor quite a long time due to litigation and opposition by certainassociations of the doctors. Though PTI leadership is always taking thecredit for improving health services in KP, the reforms are yet to beimplemented in letter and spirit.

This time the PTI leadership wanted Dr Burki to focus on other importantissues related to health and medical education in the centre and otherprovinces. However, Dr Burki is keen to come to KP soon after Imran Khantakes oath as prime minister so that he can resume his incomplete work. Hewas removed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, who had ordered constitutionof new Boards of Governors (BoGs) to look after administrative andfinancial affairs of the medical and teaching institutions.

The PTI leadership has formed a task force and engaged Dr Burki to handleissues related to public health and medical teaching in the country. Thefirst project Dr Burki is planning after installation of the PTI governmentin KP is to select new BoGs and replace the interim boards.