SHCC is promoting quackery in Sindh: PMA   

 Karachi: Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Sindh, and PMA Karachi chapter recently said that Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) has failed to deliver in Sindh province. They noted that the regulatory body has been promoting quackery in the region instead of curbing it. 

Addressing a press conference at PMA House, Dr Mirza Ali Azhar, President PMA Sindh, and Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, General Secretary, PMA Karachi, said that SHCC key responsibilities were to register all healthcare service providers. "SHCC should take necessary steps to ban quackery, monitor the quality and standards of the healthcare services developed by the Government. SHCC should operate accreditation programs regarding the healthcare services and grant accreditation to such healthcare services providers who meet the prescribed criteria and standards," PMA officials said.

They said, "SHCC enquire and investigate into maladministration, malpractice, and failures in the provision of healthcare services and issue consequential advice and orders, advocate rights and responsibilities of recipients and providers of the healthcare services and issue regulations, guidelines, instructions and directives to persons involved in the provision of healthcare services and others."

PMA officials further said that the mechanism of registration of SHCC has been faulty. "Online registration system is not working, frequent raids by the healthcare commission officials, misbehave/abuse, and threats with impolite behaviour and quackery is rampant as ever. No serious efforts are visible to stop this menace and incidences of violence in healthcare facilities. No notices are being taken by SHCC, the present structure of the SHCC not according to the law as no law being followed."

They demanded that SHCC people's behaviour be polite and friendly. "The process of registration should be made accessible and approachable at the district level. The online facility should be adequately restored. The issue of eliminating quackery should be on top of the priority list. The notification of six divisional representatives of PMA should be immediately issued."

They further demanded that the divisional representatives be on board before any field visit and inspection of health care facilities, electronic media campaigns for awareness regarding registration of healthcare facilities. 

 Dr Vasdev, Vice-President of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Sindh, and Dr Nisar Ali Shah were also present. 

-MN Report