SHCC seals over 2,100 quackery outlets in province-wide anti-quackery crackdown in 2025
KARACHI: The Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) has reported significant progress in regulating healthcare services and curbing quackery across the province, issuing 711 licenses and sealing 2,114 illegal healthcare outlets during 2025.
According to the SHCC annual progress report covering January to December 2025, the Commission registered 283 healthcare establishments (HCEs) and issued 663 provisional licenses along with 48 regular licenses to public and private facilities after verifying compliance with the Sindh Healthcare Commission Act 2013. Notably, 135 licenses were issued to public sector healthcare establishments, reflecting increased regulatory engagement with government facilities.
Intensified action against quackery across Sindh
The report highlights that SHCC adopted a comprehensive strategy to combat quackery, combining enforcement drives, eradication campaigns, and public awareness initiatives. During the year, SHCC officials conducted 3,251 anti-quackery inspections across Sindh.
As a result, 2,114 quackery outlets were sealed, while 527 outlets were re-sealed after fulfilling regulatory requirements, demonstrating the Commission’s dual focus on enforcement and compliance improvement.
To strengthen community awareness, SHCC organized divisional-level awareness sessions in Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Sukkur in December 2025. These sessions were attended by key stakeholders, including Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, SSPs, DHOs, and other senior government officials, underscoring a coordinated inter-departmental response against illegal healthcare practices.
Capacity building, complaint resolution
Alongside enforcement, SHCC continued its focus on quality enhancement through training and oversight. During 2025, the Commission conducted 623 training sessions for healthcare establishments on notified standards to improve service delivery and patient safety.
The Commission also received 68 complaints related to healthcare services during the year. Of these, 54 percent were successfully resolved, while 31 complaints remain under process, reflecting ongoing grievance redressal efforts.
Crackdown in HIV-affected areas
The report notes that SHCC took strict action in HIV-affected areas of Karachi and Shaheed Benazirabad, sealing multiple illegal healthcare outlets and lodging FIRs against individuals involved in running unregistered facilities, reinforcing the Commission’s zero-tolerance policy in high-risk public health zones.
Leadership perspective, national collaboration
Commenting on the annual performance, Dr. Ahson Qavi Siddiqi, Chief Executive Officer of SHCC, stated that the achievements reflect the Commission’s commitment to patient safety and healthcare quality across Sindh.
“Our staff remain committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of healthcare delivery, working for the benefit of the people of Sindh,” he said.
Related story: Court sentences quack to three years imprisonment, Rs 30,000 fine
During the year, SHCC also hosted the third meeting of the Joint Healthcare Regulators Forum, attended by MPA Nida Khuhro, the WHO country representative, the Federal Secretary MNHSR&C, chief executives of provincial healthcare commissions, and representatives from PMDC, the National Council of Tibb, the Allied Health Professionals Council of Pakistan, the National Council for Homeopathy, and pharmacy regulators.
In addition, SHCC signed memorandums of understanding with multiple public and private entities and held coordination meetings with WHO, UNICEF, Pathfinder, and other government departments to strengthen healthcare regulation and service quality.
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