Academy with Most PhDs Went Dormant for Three Years

Nadeem Tanoli

Islamabad: The Health Services Academy (HSA), a public health institution under the Ministry of National Health Services, came under sharp criticism during a recent meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Health for failing to enroll a single student over a span of three years—despite claiming academic excellence and financial independence.

In its briefing to the committee, the HSA Vice-Chancellor presented a glowing overview of the academy’s achievements, boasting that it is the “only university in Pakistan that can survive without government funding” and highlighting its high number of PhD faculty members. However, this narrative unraveled when it was revealed that the academy did not enroll any students in 2018, 2019, or 2020—the very years following its transition to full university status.

Senators expressed alarm over the prolonged inactivity, with one member describing the period as an example of “institutional paralysis.” Lawmakers questioned how an institution claiming to be a leader in public health education could remain functionally dormant during such a critical phase.

The academy also came under scrutiny for launching a Bachelor of Science program in Esthetics and Cosmetology—an initiative that was later discontinued. The program, seen as a commercial venture far removed from the academy’s core mandate, was criticized for violating Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) regulations. Senators questioned the justification for offering such a course within a public health institution, calling it a diversion from the academy’s fundamental responsibilities.

While the HSA’s contribution to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) during the COVID-19 pandemic was acknowledged, lawmakers noted that this role alone could not compensate for years of academic stagnation and poor strategic planning.

Committee members urged the academy to realign its focus toward Pakistan’s pressing public health priorities, including maternal and child health, infectious disease control, and preventive healthcare. They also called for transparent academic planning and greater accountability from the institution’s leadership.

Amid growing healthcare challenges nationwide, senators emphasized that institutions like the HSA must move beyond slogans and self-congratulations. What Pakistan needs, they stressed, are institutions that deliver measurable results, uphold academic integrity, and remain committed to the country’s public health mission.