PMA Strongly Condemns Heavy Fines Imposed on Qualified MBBS Doctors
Lahore:
Professor Shahid Malik, President of the Pakistan Medical Association, has strongly condemned the imposition of heavy fines—ranging from Rs. 300,000 to Rs. 400,000—on qualified MBBS doctors by the Punjab Healthcare Commission. He termed these penalties unjust, disproportionate, and deeply concerning for the medical community.
He stated that imposing fines amounting to hundreds of thousands of rupees for minor administrative shortcomings—such as the absence of a washroom door in a clinic, inadequate signage, non-availability of a few registers, or deficiencies in certain indicators—is neither fair nor reasonable. Such actions discourage qualified doctors and may ultimately affect the public’s access to quality healthcare services.
Professor Shahid Malik said that quacks continue to operate openly across Punjab. Even when the Punjab Healthcare Commission takes action against them, many avoid paying penalties by simply closing one shop and reopening their illegal practice in another street or locality. Regrettably, the Commission has so far failed to ensure effective legal prosecution and meaningful punishment of such illegal practitioners.
He emphasized that the primary mandate of the Punjab Healthcare Commission is to eliminate quackery and protect the public from unqualified healthcare providers. However, the Commission appears to have failed to achieve substantial results in this core responsibility, while qualified MBBS doctors are being subjected to heavy fines for minor administrative deficiencies.
The President of the Pakistan Medical Association urged the Chairman of the Punjab Healthcare Commission to immediately review this policy of disproportionate penalties. He demanded that qualified doctors should first be issued warnings and given reasonable time to rectify minor deficiencies, rather than being subjected directly to excessive financial penalties.
He further called upon the Commission to focus on the effective eradication of quackery, permanent closure of illegal clinics, and strict legal action against those operating without valid medical qualifications. He also demanded accountability of any officials who, instead of facilitating compliance and improvement, are using heavy penalties on qualified doctors merely as a means of revenue generation.
The Pakistan Medical Association will continue to raise its voice at every legal and democratic forum for the protection of qualified doctors’ rights and for ensuring safe, ethical, and quality healthcare for the public.
