ISLAMABAD: Staff of hospitals in the capital criticised Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Monday after he allegedly told doctors to close hospitals because he could not play a role in their salary increases.

On Monday, a delegation of the Federal Health Alliance (FHA), led by Chaudhry Qamar Gujjar, visited the ministry to discuss salary concerns. When they attempted to address the issue with Mustafa Kamal, the minister reportedly said he could do nothing, telling them, “Go and close the hospitals.”

Employees expressed disappointment that the minister did not acknowledge their efforts working in hospitals without substantial salary hikes.

They highlighted that while parliamentarians received salary increases, medical staff were still deprived of even a health allowance.

FHA Chairman Kaleemullah has scheduled a meeting on August 28 to formulate a strategy following the health minister’s comments.

The employees warned that if protests or hospital closures occur, the health minister will be held responsible.

When contacted, the media coordinator of the health ministry stated that the accusation was unfounded.

“It was the health minister who listened to the issue of employees [after the passage of the budget] and endorsed that a summary should be moved to the Ministry of Finance for salary increase. He himself took an interest in the increase in salaries and

asked about the development many times. Employees may have a misunderstanding,” he explained.

It is worth mentioning that, after the passage of the financial budget, health professionals rejected the budget and announced to close the hospital, but the federal health minister intervened and a request was made to the finance minister to increase salaries for health staff, but the request was ultimately denied by the finance ministry.

Meanwhile, Mustafa Kamal visited the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) to oversee the newly-launched online registration and licensing system for medical devices.

The CEO further said the prime minister inaugurated the system on July 21, 2025.

Since its launch, a total of 940 applications have been received, including 610 registration applications, 53 post registration variations, 75 product renewals, 31 new licensing applications, seven post licensing variations, and 22 license renewals.

From these, 188 applications have already been approved with Digital Letters issued to the companies, while the rest are in process and will be completed within the designated timelines.

The minister was told that the system was continually evolving, with parameters on the Management Dashboard increasing from 10 to 23 within just one month, allowing for improved oversight and more effective regulatory management.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister stated: “The digitisation of the medical devices system has not only facilitated ease of doing business, but also has promoted domestic and foreign investment, and enabled the growth of the local industry.”

“Digitisation has improved medical standards in the country, assured the timely and easy availability of quality medical devices across Pakistan, and increased global confidence in Pakistan’s medical devices regulatory framework,” he added.

Before this initiative, obtaining a license for medical devices took 18 to 24 months, creating unnecessary hurdles for entrepreneurs. With the fully digital system, licenses are now issued within 20 days.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2025