Private hospitals urged to reconsider charges
Health dept officials, doctors insist that health profession is meant to serve people
Health dept officials, doctors insist that health profession is meant to serve people. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shalwani claimed on Monday that the authorities were improving the health sector and asked private hospitals and their doctors to reconsider their charges as medical professionals have a relationship of love and sympathy with their patients.
He expressed these views while addressing the second Pakistan Healthcare Conference 2019 organised by the Consumer Association of Pakistan. Shalwani also stressed the need to ensure maximum possible relief to citizens, especially during the holy month of Ramazan and called upon suppliers to ensure good quality products at economical prices. He also claimed that he would not let milk traders increase their rates and prices of other essential goods will also be kept under control.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Minhaj Qidwai said strict action was being taken against quack doctors while the process of registration of clinics and hospitals was also under way. Around 300 unlicenced clinics have been sealed so far, said Dr Qidwai adding that the commission has also issued licences to 20 hospitals and registration certificates to over 500 doctors while 50 complaint cases have also been resolved. "Our mission is against the enemies of humanity," said Dr Qidwai. He added that the commission was taking measures to improve conditions of the health sector so patients could be saved from quack doctors.
Consumer Association of Pakistan (CAP) Chairperson Kaukab Iqbal stressed on the need for ensuring quality medicines and facilities at hospitals. He termed the two as critical factors in determining health standards. "Doctors should take their jobs as messiahs. They should treat patients with sympathy and adhere to their oath to remain honest while performing their duties," said Iqbal.
Sindh Health Department's Dr Masood Solangi said that the government was working to upgrade facilities at public hospitals as per international standards. According to Dr Solangi, there was a need to spread awareness about communicable diseases. He said that fatal diseases like AIDs were on the rise in Sindh and effective measures were necessary. He added that urban citizens were most at risk of catching virulent diseases. Dr Solangi said that the government was providing free vaccines at all healthcare centres and people should benefit from those facilities. Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi said that prescribing anti-biotics without proper diagnosis of the disease was unprofessional. She urged doctors to refrain from accepting commissions and gifts from pharmaceutical companies and prescribing medicines which are not needed. "The medical profession is meant to save human lives," she said.
Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Managing Director AD Sanjrani said that along with human and animal waste, gallons of chemically toxic water was being dumped into the sea by hospitals and industrial organisations which was affecting marine life. Polluted sea water also resulted in health hazards for humans consuming seafood, he added. Sanjrani stressed on the need to monitor such activities. CAP Healthcare Chairperson Dr Khalid Hussain Sheikh said a good diet and a pollution free environment were critical factors for good health. According to him, to ensure a healthy and strong Pakistan, a complete ban on substandard and expired medicines was needed so no one could play with the lives of patients.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2019.
Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shalwani claimed on Monday that the authorities were improving the health sector and asked private hospitals and their doctors to reconsider their charges as medical professionals have a relationship of love and sympathy with their patients.
He expressed these views while addressing the second Pakistan Healthcare Conference 2019 organised by the Consumer Association of Pakistan. Shalwani also stressed the need to ensure maximum possible relief to citizens, especially during the holy month of Ramazan and called upon suppliers to ensure good quality products at economical prices. He also claimed that he would not let milk traders increase their rates and prices of other essential goods will also be kept under control.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Minhaj Qidwai said strict action was being taken against quack doctors while the process of registration of clinics and hospitals was also under way. Around 300 unlicenced clinics have been sealed so far, said Dr Qidwai adding that the commission has also issued licences to 20 hospitals and registration certificates to over 500 doctors while 50 complaint cases have also been resolved. "Our mission is against the enemies of humanity," said Dr Qidwai. He added that the commission was taking measures to improve conditions of the health sector so patients could be saved from quack doctors.
Consumer Association of Pakistan (CAP) Chairperson Kaukab Iqbal stressed on the need for ensuring quality medicines and facilities at hospitals. He termed the two as critical factors in determining health standards. "Doctors should take their jobs as messiahs. They should treat patients with sympathy and adhere to their oath to remain honest while performing their duties," said Iqbal.
Sindh Health Department's Dr Masood Solangi said that the government was working to upgrade facilities at public hospitals as per international standards. According to Dr Solangi, there was a need to spread awareness about communicable diseases. He said that fatal diseases like AIDs were on the rise in Sindh and effective measures were necessary. He added that urban citizens were most at risk of catching virulent diseases. Dr Solangi said that the government was providing free vaccines at all healthcare centres and people should benefit from those facilities. Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi said that prescribing anti-biotics without proper diagnosis of the disease was unprofessional. She urged doctors to refrain from accepting commissions and gifts from pharmaceutical companies and prescribing medicines which are not needed. "The medical profession is meant to save human lives," she said.
Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Managing Director AD Sanjrani said that along with human and animal waste, gallons of chemically toxic water was being dumped into the sea by hospitals and industrial organisations which was affecting marine life. Polluted sea water also resulted in health hazards for humans consuming seafood, he added. Sanjrani stressed on the need to monitor such activities. CAP Healthcare Chairperson Dr Khalid Hussain Sheikh said a good diet and a pollution free environment were critical factors for good health. According to him, to ensure a healthy and strong Pakistan, a complete ban on substandard and expired medicines was needed so no one could play with the lives of patients.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2019.