SHCC proposes special courts, three-year jail for quacks in Sindh

KARACHI: The Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) is taking significant steps to ensure quality healthcare and combat quackery across Sindh by proposing amendments to its governing act, SHCC CEO Dr. Ahson Qavi Siddiqi shared with media representatives.

He explained that, currently, fines are the only penalty imposed on quacks. However, with the new amendments, the SHCC aims to establish dedicated courts, similar to consumer courts, to expedite trials and enforce harsher punishments. Dr. Siddiqi also revealed that, for the first time in the commission's history, a minimum of three years' imprisonment has been proposed for quackery-related offenses.

When asked about enforcement, Dr. Siddiqi highlighted the need for a specialized force, akin to anti-corruption and anti-encroachment bodies, emphasizing that quackery poses a graver threat to public health. Despite resource limitations, the SHCC has increased its monthly clinic sealing rate from 163 to 226. Over the past six years, SHCC teams have sealed 12,871 clinics and issued 8,155 warnings to healthcare establishments (HCEs) across Sindh.

"Despite filing 33 FIRs against quacks for illegally operating clinics, the accused were often released by the courts. This is why we are pushing for stricter legal provisions," Dr. Siddiqi remarked. He further noted that the absence of qualified doctors in rural areas has allowed quacks to exploit the healthcare void.

On the registration of healthcare establishments, Dr. Siddiqi shared that from 2018 to 2024, the SHCC registered 1,636 public and 11,750 private HCEs in Sindh. Of these, 12 provisional licenses were issued to public sector establishments, while 778 were granted to private ones. Additionally, regular licenses were awarded to three public and 61 private HCEs.

Dr. Siddiqi reaffirmed his commitment to transforming healthcare in Sindh, pointing out that SHCC has implemented a rapid complaint mechanism for the public to report substandard healthcare services. He also urged the media to play a constructive role in supporting SHCC's initiatives to improve the quality of healthcare in the province.