The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has intensified its province-wide crackdown on medical malpractice, raiding 2,130 treatment centres and sealing 500 unlicensed establishments over a four-week period.
According to a PHC report on Sunday, the enforcement drive saw teams inspect a range of facilities, including clinics, laboratories, and aesthetic centres. In addition to the sealed outlets, the commission”s sustained pressure led 232 centres to alter their business, with operators either relocating, shutting down, or converting to different commercial activities.
Furthermore, 1,285 healthcare establishments (HCEs), which were found to be operated by qualified staff during the inspections, have been placed under surveillance to deter any future engagement in illicit practices.
‘This ongoing initiative underscores the PHC’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring only qualified and licensed professionals deliver healthcare services in Punjab,’ said Chief Executive Officer PHC Dr Muhammad Saqib Aziz.
The highest number of closures occurred in the Lahore district, where 133 illegal treatment centres were shut down. The enforcement action was widespread, with 25 centres sealed in Sheikhupura, 23 in Faisalabad, 21 each in Sialkot and Narowal, 20 in Rawalpindi, 18 in Multan, 17 in Kasur, and 14 each in Okara and Jhang.
The sealed businesses included approximately 277 clinics operated by unqualified general practitioners, around 60 illegal medical stores and pharmacies, and over 50 dental clinics. The commission also closed more than 40 hakeem/Tibb practices, over 30 unregistered laboratories, a dozen homoeopathic clinics, about 14 maternity homes, and 13 traditional bone-setter outlets, all found to be run by individuals lacking recognised qualifications.
A spokesperson for the Commission noted that, over the course of its entire campaign, the PHC has inspected around 242,000 treatment centres. These efforts have resulted in the closure of more than 67,600 quackery outlets, while an additional 33,663 quacks have abandoned their unlawful practices.