The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has informed the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) that the comprehensive studies on Health Care and Schooling sectors are likely to be completed within the next three months. Sources told Business Recorder that the ECC has once again directed the Ministry of Finance to co-ordinate with the CCP and ensure submission of the requisite report to ECC in its next meeting.
It was reported to ECC that CCP is in the process of conducting studies on healthcare and schooling sectors. The CCP was directed to review the cost of healthcare and schooling sectors, which impact everyday life in the country, and submit a comprehensive report within a fortnight. Sources said that the aim for conducting the survey in these sectors is to analyse their vulnerability to cartelisation, or abuse of dominance.
Sources said that the CCP would thoroughly scrutinise the data of schools and healthcare facilities, particularly services provided by public and private hospitals. "The study of public and private hospitals would help in verifying any increase in the cost of healthcare services in the country", they added.
Sources informed this scribe that the difference between healthcare services provided by public and private hospitals would be examined as well. The fees charged by private hospitals would be examined under the healthcare study. They said that the analysis of private schools would help in checking the existing setup of most expensive schools in the country.
In some cases, it is compulsory for the students to purchase books and expensive uniforms at the time of admission. It would be analysed whether any kind of anti-competitive practices are prevailing in the schooling sector. Moreover, the aspect of barrier for entry for the new schools due to dominance position of certain private schools in major cities would also be analysed.
The cost analysis would be done by comparing government schools with private schools and their impact on general public. The recent increase in the fees of private schools would also be analysed. The network of leading private schools in all major cities would be analysed as compared to government schools. The access to quality education by schools in the country would also be examined during this exercise.