70,000 quack centres operating in province
Around 70,000 quack-run clinics and illegal treatment centres are operating in all 36 districts of Punjab, according to an estimate.
The illegal business is contributing to the spread of various diseases, including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other illnesses despite the Punjab Healthcare Commission’s (PHC) efforts to eradicate quackery from the province.
Reportedly, due to negligence of the health department, these quack-run fake clinics are offering treatment illegally to coronavirus patients and some are also involved in performing illegal surgeries.
Some centres are also providing ‘alternatives’ to treatments vailable at public hospitals of the province. The model of regulation of health services through the healthcare commission appears to have failed as a large number of citizens who struggle to access basic medical treatment are relying on the the thousands of quack-run centres that put their lives at risk.
These quacks also charge heavy fees in the name of effective medical treatment.
Health experts have repeatedly stressed the need for a crackdown across the province against quackery with the help of the by the local government and police.
Punjab Health Department officials told The Express Tribune that an important post of the commission, of the chief executive, had been vacant for the past three months.
The delay in appointment had affected the operations against quacks as internal politics in the health department of Punjab government appeared to be hampering the appointment of a permanent chief executive of the PHC, the sources said. Reportedly, the eradication of quackery has become a challenge for Punjab government as around 70,000 quack-run clinics are operating illegally across the province, offering treatment in all 36 districts including big cities such as Lahore, Multan, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Chakwal, Rawalpindi and Narowal.
Besides the big cities, the fake clinics are operating even in the villages and small localities of the province. On a daily basis, the fake treatment centres are reportedly dealing with thousands of patients.
In the current situation, various such llegal hospitals are also offering fake treatment for coronavirus patients.
Thousands of quacks as well as unqualified paramedical staffers, midwives and lady health workers are illegally operating in ten centres. As a result of this, a number of incidents of deaths have been reported due to mishandling and negligence, especially in villages.
Reportedly, the fake clinics also contributed to a higher death rate of pregnant women due to complications caused during treatment. The federal government introduced the model of healthcare commissions at the provincial level to counter quackery across the country and, in this connection, set up the first commission in Punjab. It also set up the Sindh Healthcare Commission and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Healthcare Commission.
The health department officials added, “It is alarming that the model of healthcare commission in Punjab could not end quackery. Instead, in the last two years 10,000 more fake clinics have emerged.”
A significant portion of the annual budget of the provincial government was spent on the PHC.
According to a survey carried out by the health department five years ago, around 70,000 fake clinics were operating in Punjab, and at one point the number reached around 100,000 three years ago.
The PHC launched an action three years ago against the quack clinics on a Supreme Court order but due to poor performance of the officials responsible, quackery continues unabated.
“There is no permanent chief executive since 14 weeks back and a power struggle allegedly continues for the top post. Amid this fight, the quackery business continues across the province,” said a senior official of Punjab Health Department.
A spokesperson for the PHC, Amir Waqas, told The Express Tribune that up to 28,705 quack clinics had been sealed in Punjab during the last three years. “Our operation against quacks continues in routine and with dedication. We are taking action on a daily basis.”
PHC Interview Committee Chairperson Atiya Mubarik stated, “A few candidates’ interviews are remaining as we stopped the recruitment process due to the coronavirus situation. Now, soon we will restart the interviews of remaining candidates and will appoint the chief executive of the PHC.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2020.