Unregistered private hospitals face action

Health Minister Marri says three medical centres sealed

QUETTA: Health Minister Mir Naseebullah Marri has said the provincial government has constituted a special committee to implement Balochistan Private Hospitals Regulatory Act, 2004, saying that action against unregistered medical centres was in progress.

“During the initial three days, the committee sealed three unregistered private hospitals and eight clinics in the provincial capital. Further action against unrecognised laboratories, clinics and quacks continued across the province,” he told a press conference in Quetta on Wednesday.

The minister said Dr Naseeumur Rehman was heading a committee for the implementation of Balochistan Private Hospitals Regulatory Act, 2004 in the province. The committee, he added, was taking strict action against unregistered hospitals and reviewing cleanliness situation in all hospitals, including private clinics.



On shortage of doctors in government hospitals, Marri said the provincial government has been taking steps on emergency basis to recruit doctors in remote parts of Balochistan. He highlighted that around 509 newly-appointed doctors and medical practitioners were providing services in such areas.

Moreover, the health department imposed nutrition emergency in Balochistan from November 25, he said, adding that the objective was to prevent malnutrition in the province particularly from remote areas.

To a query regarding kidnapping of Neurosurgeon Dr Ibrahim Khalil, the minister said the provincial government was making efforts for the safe recovery of the abducted doctor. He voiced hope that he (Khalil) would be recovered.

Marri said: “We are in contact with the victim’s family and assured them government’s full support but I urge protesters [medical practitioners] to end their strike in government hospitals on humanitarian grounds”.