(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
(Muhammad Mansoor Mumtaz)
PHC intensifies anti-quackery raids across Punjab 500 quack outlets sealed, 232 centres undergo business changes
The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has significantly escalated its anti-quackery operations, conducting raids on 2,130 treatment centres across Punjab over a four-week period, resulting in the sealing of 500 illegal outlets.
During the latest crackdown, enforcement teams visited various treatment facilities, including clinics, laboratories and aesthetic centres. The operations led to 500 quackery outlets being sealed for violations. At the same time, 232 centres were found to have undergone business changes, with operators either shifting locations, shutting down operations or converting to other businesses in response to PHC’s intensified enforcement. Additionally, 1,285 healthcare establishments (HCEs) have been placed under surveillance to prevent any resurgence of quackery, as qualified persons were operating these centres at the time of the raids.
“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.
Lahore district witnessed the highest number of closures, with 133 illegal treatment centres being shut down during this period. The crackdown extended to other districts, resulting in the closure of 25 centres 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. Similarly, anti-quackery operations were conducted across the province.
During this anti-quackery drive, the PHC sealed approximately 277 clinics run by unqualified general practitioners, around 60 illegal medical stores and pharmacies, over 50 dental clinics, more than 40 hakeems/Tibb practices, a dozen homoeopathic clinics, over 30 unregistered laboratories and collection centres, about 14 maternity homes, and 13 traditional bone-setter outlets, all operating without recognised qualifications.
A spokesperson for the Commission highlighted that, to date, the PHC has conducted raids on around 242,000 treatment centres, resulting in the closure of more than 67,600 quackery outlets, while 30,663 quacks have abandoned their unlawful practices.
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