SHCC gives clearance to three more labs for coronavirus testing

KARACHI: The Sindh Healthcare Commission’s inspection teams recently conducted visits to expand the number of laboratories conducting PCR tests for COVID-19. This was done to ensure their standards and confirm their preparedness.

During these visits, gaps were identified, and suggestions were given for improvement. In this regard, the Sindh Healthcare Commission has cleared the Advance Lab and its partner, Hashmani Lab (for home sampling only), for COVID-19 testing. Other Laboratories, who have been given permission, include Dr Ziauddin University Hospital and the Karachi Children’s Hospital.

The SHCC’s inspection team also held meetings with the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of Mirpurkhas (MPK) for the establishment of isolation/quarantine centers. A situation analysis briefing from the DHOs and MS of MPK followed this. Deputy Commissioner, MPK, also shared an action plan for quarantine and isolation wards.

After the meeting, a joint field visit was arranged for all the participants by the Commissioner MPK at the quarantine and isolation centers. A quarantine and isolation facility has been arranged at the Mohammad Medical and Dental College Boys Hostel with three halls, a 40-bed capacity, and 12 ventilators and at a new DHQ Hospital with four halls, a 40-bed capacity, and five ventilators.

The COVID-19 Emergency Committee of the SHCC has sent its recommendations to the Health Department for establishing more PCR/isolation/quarantine/treatment centers in Sindh.

Dr Minhaj Qidwai and Dr Ayaz Mustafa, along with the members from the Aga Khan University Hospital and Indus Hospital, developed an algorithm for dealing with the COVID-19 patients.

The Directorate of Anti-Quackery visited 144 labs and diagnostic centers in this week. The team sealed four clinics this week. 3498 healthcare establishments (HCEs) have been sealed in Sindh to date. Warnings were issued to 54 clinics this week as well. The total warnings issued to clinics for non-compliance now stands at 1254.

The Directorate of Complaints has received a total of 132 complaints to date, out of which 87 complaints have been disposed of, 39 complaints are under processing, while 7 are sub-judice.

The Directorate of Licensing & Accreditation has received 10,739 applications for registration to date. Registration Certificates have been issued to 9509 HCEs. The Directorate also compiled the data for ventilators and isolation centers in Sindh and shared it with the concerned quarters.

On the directives of the Minister of Health, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, letters were also issued to the laboratories to report of data to the SHCC.

The Directorate of Clinical Governance shared a policy addressing the burial of the victims of the COVID-19 with the relevant quarters. A policy for the isolation centers was also developed and is being converted into a simpler checklist form.

-MN Report