SHCC slaps Rs8.6m fines on 134 illegal health centres

Dr Khalid Shaikh, Chairman of the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) Board of Commissioners, strongly condemned any unlawful interference with sealed medical centres by the commission, considering it a grave offence and a direct challenge to the authority of the Sindh government. He expressed these concerns during the 61st board meeting held in Karachi.

Dr Shaikh instructed the CEO of SHCC to convene a meeting with the Inspector General of Sindh Police and other stakeholders to develop a robust collaborative strategy to take action against violators and their facilitators.

The meeting was attended by other board members including Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Dr Mirza Ali Azhar, Prof. Sameer Qureshi, Prof. Shoaib Gangat, Dr Sajjad Siddiqui, and Dr Ghulam Rasool Shah.

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During the meeting, Dr. Ahsan Qavi Siddiqui, Chief Compliance Officer of SHCC, presented proposed amendments to the SHCC Regulations of 2017, suggesting essential changes in the categories of Healthcare Establishments (HCE). The Board of Commissioners welcomed these recommendations and called for revisions to the SHCC Act and Regulations.

Dr. Ghafoor Shoro, the Convener of the Anti-Quackery Committee, informed attendees that the Anti-Quackery Directorate had received 137 requests for de-sealing of illegal healthcare facilities from healthcare providers and property owners. The committee meticulously reviewed each de-sealing application and recommended penalties for establishments that failed to comply with the Commission's regulations. In total, 134 clinics and hospitals were fined a cumulative amount of Rs8.6 million, while three cases were rejected for re-examination. The board stressed the need to enhance operational activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2023.