SHCC issues registration certificates to 204 more healthcare facilities

In the past week the commission has received 45 new applications, total number over 9,899

KARACHI: The Sindh Health Care Commission's (SHCC) directorate of licensing and accreditation received around 45 new applications in the past week from healthcare facilities across the province. Around 204 clinics and hospitals were issued registration certificates by the SHCC in the same week. The directorate has received new applications from over 9,899 healthcare facilities across the province and has inspected around 71 of them in the past week. The total number of registered healthcare facilities stands at 9,170 as of now.

Besides, the SHCC has established complaint cells at various public and private hospitals in Karachi. The complaint cells, established through the joint efforts of the respective healthcare facility and the SHCC, aim to address the queries and concerns of patients, healthcare establishments and healthcare proprietors. More such complaint cells are to be set-up across the province.

Healthcare facilities for masses top priority: PM

A meeting was recently held between the SHCC complaints director and the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) to discuss the rights and responsibilities of patients, and their complaints and concerns. The purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness among patients so that they know their rights and can contact the SHCC in case of any complaints. The directorate has so far received 114 hospital-related complaints, of which 80 complaints have been resolved. Another 28 are in the process of being resolved while six are being dealt with through legal recourse.

Meanwhile, the directorate has recently sealed 17 clinics while responding to the complaints against them. After the crackdown, the total number of healthcare establishments that have been sealed in Sindh stands at 2,935, and warning notices have been issued to around 830 hospitals and clinics.

The SHCC's Clinical Governance and Training Directorate also recently arranged a three-day training programme for primary health clinics in Karachi. The purpose of the training was to ensure that minimum standards and quality for healthcare and patient treatment are maintained.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2019.