Lahore: The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) conducted 1,856 regulatory inspections of healthcare establishments (HCEs) last month to promote compliance with Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS), safeguard patients and improve the quality and safety of healthcare services.
According to the PHC spokesperson on Friday, the inspections covered 717 maternity homes, 422 collection centres, 256 GP clinics and dispensaries, 143 aesthetic clinics, 109 hospitals, 82 dental clinics, 51 polyclinics, 37 single-speciality clinics, 33 diagnostic centres and six addiction-treatment centres.
The Commission also carried out 89 focused inspections of intensive care units and fire-safety arrangements.
The PHC issued notices to 104 HCEs, suspended specified services of 36 HCEs and sealed four centres over serious regulatory deficiencies.
The sealed centres included New City Medical Complex in Narowal, Rahila Research and Reference Lab Collection Centre in Sheikhupura, Akmal Dental Clinic in Khanewal and Ahmed Clinic in Rajanpur.
The major deficiencies identified during inspections included provision of healthcare services beyond the approved scope or category of PHC registration, non-availability of appropriately qualified and registered doctors or consultants, inadequate round-the-clock medical and nursing cover, and deficient patient medical records.
Other deficiencies included poor healthcare-waste management, inadequate infection prevention and control and disinfection and sterilisation practices, availability or use of expired medicines, reagents and disposable items, absence of required regulatory licences or authorisations, including those issued by the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) and Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority (PBTA), as well as inadequate fire-safety arrangements and emergency preparedness.
The spokesperson said guidance, facilitation and corrective action remained central to the PHC’s regulatory approach. Healthcare providers were informed about identified deficiencies and, where permissible under the applicable legal and regulatory framework, were given opportunities to take corrective measures.
However, suspension or sealing action was taken where serious patient-safety concerns, persistent non-compliance or unsafe healthcare practices were identified.
The PHC advised the public to seek healthcare services only from qualified and authorised healthcare providers and HCEs registered and licensed with the Commission. It also urged patients and their families to remain vigilant about proper record-keeping, infection-prevention measures, emergency preparedness and safe clinical practices.