442 clinics sealed over quackery: official

Flood hampered monitoring of healthcare facilities

KARACHI:

In the last quarter of 2022, the directorate of Anti-Quackery at Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) conducted widespread inspection and enforcement (I&E) visits to effectively identify and track down 'quackery' in the province.

The scope of Anti-Quackery operations increased in some districts, while other districts remained affected by the floods, with relief operations underway by the district government. Between October and December last year, quarter, the Anti-Quackery team conducted 1230 inspections of various healthcare establishments (HCEs) in most parts of Sindh.

A total of 442 HCEs were sealed by SHCC in violation of the law, under section U/S 39(G)(H) as per SHCC Regulations 2017

A total of 442 HCEs were sealed by SHCC in violation of the law, under section U/S 39(G)(H) as per SHCC Regulations 2017

On a positive note, 361 clinics were found to comply with the regulations under SHCC Act 2013, while SHCC teams conducted follow-up vigilance checks to check on previously sealed 'quack clinics'.

Some districts like Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Dadu, Badin, Sanghar, Khairpur and Tharparkar remained affected due to flood migrations while anti-quackery operations continued in other areas.

"We are seeking the support of our law enforcement agencies as our most reliable stakeholders in this fight against quackery," stated Director Anti Quackery Mr Syed Zeeshan A. Shah. Division-wise, 139 clinics were sealed in Karachi, 100 closed in Sukkur, 88 in Mirpur Khas, 77 in Larkana and 42 in Hyderabad and Shaheed Benazir Abad due to unchecked quackery in different areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2023.