Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Wolesi Jirga Approves Medical Council Draft Law

Wolesi Jirga Approves Medical Council Draft Law

KABUL - The Wolesi Jirga on Saturday approved a draft law on creation of the Medical Council. If approved by the Meshrano Jirga or Senate, the council would be created as new organizational unit.
The Medical Council was created in early October under a presidential order. Based on Article 90th of the Constitution, the Wolesi Jirga has the right to create, amend or cancel organizational units.
Saleh Mohammad Saljoqi, who heads the lower house commission on public health, while explaining the draft law for Medical Council, said the legislation was approved with a majority of vote today.
“Medical Council is a professional organization and is a need for the medical society of the country, it’s goal is to ensure healthcare services and support doctors,” he said.
He said such councils were active in 50 countries of the world including 10 regional countries. A number of lawmakers had tried to create the council in Afghanistan in the last seven years.
“Creation of this council would not only improve the quality of health services, but also give credit to the health services system of the country,” Saljoqi said.
Fatima Azizi, who favored the Medical Council draft law, said: “Doctors and medical students would suffer more problems if this draft law is not approved.”
However,  NiamatullahGhafari, one of the only four lawmakers who voted against the draft law, said: “Creation of Medical Council has no base in the constitution, its creation would be an interference in the Ministry of Public Health Ministry affairs.”
At the end of the meeting, Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi asked lawmakers to vote on the draft law. Of 124 lawmakers present, 120 voted in favor of the law.
Public Health Minister FerozuddinFeroz had said many people were concerned about the quality of health services but the Medical Council would help accredit the system.
He asked the upper house of parliament to approve the draft law as it would address doctors’ problems, prevent violations and protect doctors and patients.
The draft law would be shared with the Meshrano Jirga for approval. If approved by the upper house and endorsed by the president, the Medical Council would be created as a legal organizational unit. (Pajhwok)