KARACHI- Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC) chalked out a comprehensive anti-quackery strategy, to eradicate menace of quackery from the province of Sindh, and a task force has been established in order to control malpractices.
A meeting of SHCC, chaired by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Minhaj A Qidwai at PMA House Karachi. Chairperson, SHCC, Prof Dr. S. Tipu Sultan, Director Monitoring and Evolution, Dr. Suleman Otho, focal person, Sindh Health Department, representatives of Aga Khan Hospital , South City and others attended this meeting.
The main agenda of the meeting was the development of anti-quackery strategy, promotion of ethical practices, and development of Terms of Reference (TOR) for anti-quackery teams, in collaboration with PMA, Civil Society and various representatives of major hospitals of Sindh.
Chairperson, SHCC, Prof Dr. Tipu Sultan stated that, SHCC is a regulatory body formed to improve the quality of healthcare services in Sindh. He also informed regarding the meeting organized to develop anti-quackery strategies, as quackery is one of the leading causes behind the increasing rate of mortality and morbidity in Pakistan.
He explained that thousands of innocent lives were lost and many are still seriously affected due to quackery.
Furthermore, Prof Tipu Sultan added that, in pursuance of Sindh Health Care Commission Act 2013, the anti-quackery strategy proposes to ensure the enforcement of banning of quackery within the province, in all its forms and manifestations, through implementation of legislative reforms, establishment of anti-quackery cell/unit for coordination of implementation and enforcement of anti-quackery activities in Sindh, speed up of registration & licensing of healthcare establishments (allopathic, homeopathic & Tibb), through a responsive complaints management system, alongside public awareness campaigns to promote patient’s rights and safety.
CEO, SHCC, Dr. Minhaj A Qidwai, added that, registration of public & privates hospitals, laboratories, allopathic and homeopathic clinics, blood banks and other healthcare establishments are underway. H explained that registration of about 3000 healthcare establishments have almost been completed, meanwhile 11 complaints were also received against certain health facilities.
He strongly urged the Regularity bodies like, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. Pakistan Nursing Council, National Council for Tibb, National Council for Homoeopathy, Pharmacy Council of Pakistan (PCP) and others to coordinate with SHCC in this process of authentic registrations.
