SHCC launches inspections for provision of regular licenses

KARACHI: CEO, Sindh Healthcare Commission(SHCC), has said SHCC commenced inspections of secondary and tertiary care hospitals of the private and public sector in Sindh province to qualify them for Regular License.

The SHCC, in its process for registration and licensing of healthcare facilities, has issued 11,491 registration certificates and 493 provisional licences to date. Now those healthcare facilities that qualified for a provisional license have applied for a regular license. Therefore the Inspections for a regular license are being carried out. 

So far, six healthcare establishments/Hospitals have been thoroughly inspected for a regular license, including Agha Khan University Hospital, Ziauddin Hospital-North Nazimabad, Memon Medical Institute Hospital (MMIH) Memon Hospital-Burns Road, National Medical Center and Bahria Town Hospital Karachi. 

The concerned Directorate of Licensing and Accreditation also continues to approach healthcare providers at their healthcare facilities for guidance and coaching about the process of registration and licensing with SHCC. The registration drive, which was started from District Sujawal and Thatta, focused on rural areas, towns and talukas such as Jhirk, Jhok Sharif, Gharo, Mirpur Sakro, Jati, Sujawal city, Thatta city, Daro and Bathoro. To date, this initiative has resulted in an 80 per cent response from Healthcare providers, which is encouraging.  

As per SHCC Act 2013 mandate regarding registration, the Commission is empowered to initiate action against non-compliant/unregistered healthcare facilities, including fine imposition or sealing the facility. However, the Directorate of Licensing and Accreditation aims to educate, encourage and facilitate the service providers during this stage. 

Dr Altaf Hussain Khawaja, Director Licensing and Accreditation, SHCC, said that the Sindh Healthcare Commission reserves the right to take action against those Healthcare facilities/providers who are not responding to the current registration drive.