Daily Times

Commissioner, Larkana Division, Muhammad SaleemRazaKhuhro, has said that health department must ensure that better facilities in view of the rules of SHCC are provided to the people for which it was established. Sindh Health-Care Commission (SHCC) Act 2013 was passed from Sindh Assembly to regulate and register private hospitals, maternity homes, dental clinics, laboratories and homeopathic clinics. The commissioner was addressing an awareness session held by the SHCC at a local hotel here on Wednesday. He said that SHCC has the legal cover but the role of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) cannot be under-estimated. He said we all will have to work hard to enforce the contents of SHCC in letter and spirit so that better health facilities could be provide to the ailing masses.

SHCC Director Complaints Dr.FarhanaMemon said that strict actions will be taken against those hospitals which will be providing sub-standard facilities and such health centers and hospitals will be closed down. She said complaints will be heard by the commission and stern actions will be taken within 90 days. She claimed that Sindh Government is building more and more Trauma Centers in the province. Under Section 13, nobody can establish a hospital until & unless it is permitted by the SHCC.

About 120 substandard hospitals shut down across the province, informed the Director. Inspection will be carried out by SHCC to take stern action

She further stated that those institutions which are not registered with Nursing Council, PMDC or Dental Council will be registered with SHCC. SHCC can inspect the hospitals at anytime to observe whether required faculties, instruments, equipment and machinery are available or not. The commission will issue provisional license for six months to run a hospital or a laboratory after which a form shall be submitted duly filled-in by the owner/s. Inspection will be carried out adding if everything is found in order as per the requirements of SHCC, then regular license will be issued for five years.

SHCC director said that about 120 substandard hospitals have so far been closed down across the province. She said people can make complaints against government or private hospitals which will be decided within 90 days, and offender can be fined up to Rs 50,000 along with stern action.

Director, Clinical Governance and Training Dr. Ahmed RazaKazmi said that the fundamental purpose of the SHCC is to make better hospitals and improve their working in Sindh. He said Homeopathic, physiotherapy, pharmacy, dental, diagnostic hospitals and maternity homes will be registered. He said action will be taken against those healthcare units which fail to get themselves registered with SHCC. DHO Dr. Abdul Rahman Balocj, PMA President Dr.IkranTunio, Prof.SaifullahJamro, Prof.KhurshidAbbasi, MPA GhanwarIsran and others participated in the session.