KARACHI: In a move to improve standards of healthcare services, the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) has initiated registration of all healthcare units in the province, Daily Times has learnt. The process has been initiated after the SHCC was formally launched this month. The Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC) is an autonomous regulatory body to ensure quality healthcare and ban quackery in the province. It applies to healthcare establishments – public or private hospitals – no -profit organisations, charitable hospitals, trust hospitals, semi government and autonomous healthcare organizations. According to an official of SHCC, the registration process will be followed by the licensing, the mandatory permission issued by the SHCC for the use of any premises or conveyance as a healthcare establishment “Healthcare units include hospitals, diagnostic centers, medical clinics, nursing homes, maternity homes, dental clinics, homeopathic clinics, Tibb clinics, acupuncture clinics, physiotherapy centres or any other premises or conveyances wholly or partly used for providing healthcare services,” the official clarified. “Licensing sets out standards of delivery of healthcare services that a healthcare establishment must observe and implement in order to operate and deliver quality healthcare services.” He added, “Licensing certifies that a given HCE is allowed to operate as a professionally safe place, promising elimination or substantial reduction in the number and severity of system failures, enhancing patient and practitioner confidence in the HCE thereby raising its profile, professional value, clientele and quality of healthcare services. Licensing will also ensure that the commission takes cognizance of any case of harassment of a healthcare service provider or damage to a healthcare establishment.” In this regard, he said, the commission had written letters to administration of all major public sector hospitals and basic health units (BHUs) to complete the licensing process within 90 days. According to another official, the process will be extended to private healthcare facilities. In this regard, district health officers’ help could be sought to get lists of private healthcare facilities in their respective areas. Under Section 13 of the Sindh Healthcare Commission Act, 2013; a healthcare service provider shall not provide healthcare services without being registered under the act. As per the rules, all healthcare establishments in Sindh, both in the public and private sectors, are required to obtain a licence from the SHCC. If a healthcare establishment fails to be licenced, the SHCC may impose a fine, which may extend to Rs 500,000 or order the closing down of the healthcare establishment. Registration will be free of cost while license fee will depend on the category of the healthcare facility. Registration and licensing forms are available on Sindh Healthcare Commission’s website for stakeholders. “The SHCC will issue a provisional licence to a healthcare establishment on receipt of the licence form fulfilling all the prescribed requirements. Later on, a regular licence will be issued by the commission to such applicant whose application has been accepted by the commission after inspection and it has fully complied with the provisions of the SHCC Act, 2013,” the official added. Published in Daily Times, February 26th 2018.