PHC tightens grip on health sector
In a significant move, the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has issued a plethora of notices to all private healthcare centres, hospitals and laboratories across Rawalpindi City and Cantonment, directing them to adopt the mandatory health indicators developed under the guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to sources, failure to comply with the directives laid down in the notices, which emphasise the need for adherence to quality standards, will result in a ban on operations for the non-compliant entities.
They said patients availing services from private healthcare providers or undergoing tests at laboratories reserve the right to lodge formal complaints with the PHC if dissatisfied with the service quality.
Upon successful registration, the second phase entails the issuance of formal licenses to healthcare facilities meeting the specified health indicators. All private healthcare establishments under the jurisdiction of the PHC must ensure the delivery of quality services and adhere to approved pricing schedules. Similarly, private pathology laboratories are obligated to conduct standardised tests.
Earlier, the commission granted licenses to three government hospitals in Rawalpindi, namely Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, and District Headquarters Hospital, after fulfilling treatment-related health indicators. Notably, these hospitals incurred fines of Rs120,000 per establishment for non-compliance dating back to 2012.
In a bid to uphold public health standards, the Healthcare Commission has initiated crackdowns targeting counterfeit medical practitioners and unregistered healthcare facilities. Treatment provisions under Sehat Sahulat Cards have been revoked for unlicensed public or private hospitals.
The PHC’s health indicators, introduced in 2012, encompass various aspects of healthcare delivery, ensuring patient-centric services in government hospitals.
Furthermore, the PHC is actively combating the proliferation of vendors promoting false cures for diseases on streets and sidewalks. Citizens can report complaints against unlicensed practitioners through the prime minister and Punjab chief minister portal. Notably, substantial fines have been imposed on numerous private hospitals and laboratories for failure to register with the PHC.
In cases of patient harm due to medical negligence, the PHC ensures judicial proceedings against responsible medical personnel, including imprisonment and fines. Similar punitive measures are enforced against private laboratories operating without registration.
Before registration, the PHC conducts thorough inspections of public and non-government hospitals, medical centres, laboratories, and traditional medicine practitioners. Facilities failing to meet the designated health indicators are subject to significant penalties. However, upon rectifying deficiencies and fulfilling all requirements, healthcare facilities receive licensure from the PHC.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th 2024.