PMA slams PHC drive against hospitals

MN Report

KARACHI - Pakistan Medical Association’s (PMA-Centre) secretary-general Mirza Ali Azhar has expressed reservations over Punjab Healthcare Commission’s (PHC) ongoing campaign against public and private sector hospitals that has resulted in sealing of some operation theaters in the province.

Terming the sealing of operation theaters and operation rooms `unjust` and `uncalled for’, the PMA leader said that such acts on the part of PHC amounted to harassment of medical community in the province.
“PHC must issue guidelines before launching any such drive,” he opined.

Claiming that the campaign had begun without taking Punjab doctors’ organizations on board, he told newsmen that the current `bureaucratic’ action initiated against public and private hospitals without taking the medical community into confidence would damage the profession in the country.

The PMA leader also criticized Sindh health department for not implementing the Healthcare Commission Act- 2013 in the province.

He regretted that although Sindh Assembly had approved the Sindh Healthcare Commission Bill more than a year ago, inordinate delay in implementing the Bill was causing frustration among health professionals.

Highlighting the importance of the Sindh Healthcare Commission’s Act, Dr Mirza said that it is aimed at improving health care quality, protecting patients’ rights, doctors’ safety, monitoring of public and private hospitals, besides bringing an end to the menace of quackery in the province.