Sindh and Punjab Healthcare Commissions Join Hands To Improve System

LAHORE: The healthcare commissions of Punjab and Sindh will collaborate further to improve both provinces’ healthcare service delivery systems, and working groups will be constituted to benefit from their respective ambits of functioning.  

This was decided between the two sides in a meeting held at the Punjab Healthcare Commission’s office.

Dr Ahson Qavi Siddiqi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC), led a seven-member delegation comprising directors of various departments. Dr Muhammad Saqib Aziz, the CEO of Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC), led his team. Directors and heads of departments of both Commissions gave detailed briefings about their respective areas.

The officials discussed various aspects and issues of quality assurance in the healthcare service delivery, implementation of rules and regulations, minimum service delivery standards (MSDS) and their enforcement in the healthcare establishments (HCEs) of both provinces. The visiting delegates appreciated the PHC for its success in bringing reforms to the local health sector.  

While welcoming the SHCC delegation, Dr Saqib briefed it about the regulatory framework, jurisdiction, working, mandate and achievements of the PHC. He suggested the formation of a national coordination committee of all the provincial healthcare commissions for mutual learning, similar and equal implementation of health reforms, rules and regulations across Pakistan.  

Dr Ahson briefed the SHCC and its performance regarding anti-quackery, registration and licences, rules and regulations, MSDS and their enforcement. He also pointed out areas for mutual collaboration and learning.  

Sindh Healthcare Commission’s team was briefed about the PHC’s performance. They were told that Punjab Healthcare Commission had registered more than 64,000 and licensed over 41,000 Healthcare Establishments, sealed 34,345 illegal treatment centres and trained over 25,000 health professionals.

Dr Ahson Qavi appreciated the milestones PHC has achieved so far and committed that the SHCC initiative will gain momentum by learning from strategies and challenges faced by PHC in its journey to the current level.