Anti-Quackery operations on ‘quacks’ steadily on the rise’ ,Director Anti-Quackery SHCC
In the last quarter of 2022, the directorate of Anti-Quackery at Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC), conducted widespread inspection and enforcement (I&E) visits to effectively identify and track down ‘quackery’ in the province.
Scope of Anti-Quackery operations increased in some districts, while other districts remained affected by the floods, with relief operations underway by the district government.
Between October and December last year, quarter, the Anti-Quackery team conducted 1230 inspections of various healthcare establishments (HCE’s) in most parts of Sindh.
A total of 442 HCEs were sealed by SHCC in violation of the law, under section U/S 39(G)(H) as per SHCC Regulations 2017
On a positive note, 361 clinics were found to be in-compliance with the regulations under SHCC Act 2013, while follow-up vigilance checks were conducted by SHCC teams to check on previously sealed ‘quack clinics’.
Some districts like Shikarpur, Jacobabad , Dadu, Badin , Sanghar, Khairpur and Tharparkar remained affected due to flood migrations while anti-quackery operations continued in other areas.
‘We are seeking support of our law enforcement agencies as our most reliable stakeholders in this fight against quackery’ : stated Director- Anti- Quackery Mr. Syed Zeeshan A. Shah.
Division wise, 139 clinics were sealed in Karachi, 100 clinics sealed in Sukkur, , 88 in Mirpur Khas, 77 in Larkana and 42 in Hyderabad and Shaheed Benazir Abad due to unchecked quackery in different areas.
Moreover, 427 healthcare establishments (HCEs) were issued ‘strict warnings’ to comply with the law.
Under section 4(2) of the SHCC regulations 2013, Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC) Directorate of Anti-Quackery enforced its legal mandate, imposing more stringent penalties on repeat offenders.
At the same time, SHCC continued its registration process while training qualified medical practitioners to step up ‘patient care’ across all healthcare establishments.
