The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) conducted 1,856 regulatory inspections of healthcare establishments across Punjab in September, focusing on compliance with minimum service delivery standards (MSDS), patient safety and the overall quality of healthcare services.
The inspections covered a wide range of facilities, including 717 maternity homes, 422 collection centres, 256 general practitioner clinics and dispensaries, 143 aesthetic clinics, 109 hospitals, 82 dental clinics, 51 polyclinics, 37 single-speciality clinics, 33 diagnostic centres and six addiction-treatment facilities.
The PHC also carried out 89 targeted inspections of intensive care units and fire-safety arrangements as part of its efforts to identify risks that could directly affect patient safety.
Following the inspections, the commission issued notices to 104 healthcare establishments, suspended specific services at 36 facilities and sealed four centres over serious regulatory violations.
The sealed facilities included New City Medical Complex in Narowal, Rahila Research and Reference Lab Collection Centre in Sheikhupura, Akmal Dental Clinic in Khanewal and Ahmed Clinic in Rajanpur.
According to the PHC, inspectors found several violations, including healthcare facilities operating beyond their registered scope, the absence of qualified and registered doctors or consultants, insufficient medical and nursing staff, and poor maintenance of patient records.
Other deficiencies involved improper healthcare-waste disposal, inadequate infection prevention and control measures, poor sterilisation and disinfection practices, and the presence or use of expired medicines, reagents and disposable medical supplies.
Inspectors also identified facilities lacking mandatory licences and approvals, including those required from the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) and Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority (PBTA). Fire-safety shortcomings and inadequate emergency preparedness were also reported.
The PHC said its regulatory approach primarily focuses on providing guidance and helping healthcare providers correct identified deficiencies. However, it stressed that stronger enforcement measures, including suspension or sealing, are necessary when violations pose serious risks to patients, persist despite warnings or involve unsafe medical practices.
The commission urged citizens to seek treatment only from qualified healthcare professionals and healthcare facilities registered and licensed by the PHC. Patients and their families were also advised to consider basic safety measures, including proper record-keeping, infection-control practices and emergency preparedness, when choosing healthcare services.
