PHC sealed 15 businesses of quacks last week

Author: Staff Report

The Punjab Healthcare Commission had closed down 3,652 businesses of quacks in its drive carried out across the province since the apex court’s orders.

According to details, the PHC teams had visited 10,849 treatment centres and sealed 3,652 quacks’ outlets.

On the other hand, the district administrations had inspected 2,757premises and sealed 1,327 businesses of quacks. Cumulatively, both the PHC and district authorities had visited 13,606 centres and closed down 4,979 businesses of quacks.

The PHC teams had sealed 644 quackery outlets in Lahore, 249 in Faisalabad, 198 in Sheikhupura, 173 in Kasur, 151 in Sargodha, 136 in Sahiwal, 135 in Muzaffargarh, 134 in Toba Tek Singh, 127 each in Sialkot and Rawalpindi, 115 in Pakpattan and 104 in Multan.

Moreover, during the last week, the PHC teams conducted raids on 46 drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation centres in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Kharian and Rawalpindi and sealed 15 outlets for not having required human resource and facilities, including doctors, paramedical staff and licences. Also, showcause notices were served on 26 centres.

As per the PHC spokesperson, the crackdown on quacks would be resumed today after Eid holidays. “Moreover, action will also continue against all healthcare establishments, which are not implementing the Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS) in letter and spirit,” he said, and appealed to the masses to report against quacks on PHC’s free helpline 0800 00742 and only visit qualified and registered physicians for treatment.

Published in Daily Times, June 19^th2018.