Awareness seminar by Sindh Health-Care Commission

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.

Commissioner, Larkana Division, Muhammad Saleem Raza Khuhro, while addressing an awareness session held by the SHCC at a local hotel 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. He remarked that SHCC has the legal cover but the role of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) could also not be disregarded or underestimated. Effort is required for the enforcement of SHCC rules, in letter and spirit, so that better health facilities could be provided to the ailing masses, he added.

SHCC Director Complaints Dr Farhana Memon said that strict actions would be taken against hospitals which would provide sub-standard facilities; such health centers and hospitals would be sealed. The complaints would be heard by the commission and stern actions will be taken within 90 days’ time. She said people could make complaints against government or private hospitals, which would be decided within 90 days, and offender could be fined up to Rs 50,000 along with stern action. SHCC Director said that about 120 substandard hospitals had so far been closed down across the province.

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. Those institutions, which were not registered with Nursing Council, PMDC or Dental Council will be registered with SHCC. SHCC can inspect the hospitals at any time 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; whether everything is found in order as per the requirements of SHCC will be noted. Only then regular license will be issued for five years.

Director Clinical Governance and Training, Dr Ahmed Raza Kazmi, said that the fundamental purpose of the SHCC is to make better hospitals and improve their working in Sindh. Homeopathic, physiotherapy, pharmacy, dental, diagnostic hospitals and maternity homes will be registered.

DHO Dr Abdul Rahman Baloch, PMA President Dr Ikran Tunio, Prof. Saifullah Jamro, Prof. Khurshid Abbasi, MPA Ghanwar Isran and others participated in the session.