SHCC – BOL News Staging

SHCC issues alert to private hospitals amid flood risk

September 4, 2025 by Abid Khan

KARACHI: Amid concerns over possible flooding in Sindh, the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) has directed private hospitals and healthcare facilities in potentially affected areas to remain on high alert and ensure preventive preparedness. In an official circular sent to private hospitals, the SHCC emphasized that all healthcare institutions must play an active role in safeguarding … Read more

SHCC voices concern over surge in unnecessary C-sections

May 26, 2025 by Abid Khan

KARACHI: Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) has voiced concerns about the rising number of unnecessary C-sections or cesarean section, particularly in private health facilities. According to the Commission, 65% of healthcare services in the province are being provided by private hospitals, where some gynecologists reportedly prefer surgical deliveries for convenience rather than medical necessity. Chief Executive … Read more

SHCC imposes 9m penalty on quacks, HCEs on complaints

May 14, 2024 by Abid Khan

KARACHI: Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) has imposed Rs nine million penalty on quacks and Healthcare Establishments (HCEs) on patient’s related complaints.

The 69th Board of Commissioners (BoC) meeting was convened by Dr Khalid Shaikh, Chairman (BoC) of Sindh Healthcare Commission at Karachi. The meeting was attended by other members of the BoC.

During meeting, Convener Complaint Committee, Dr Sameer Qureshi, presented the investigation report on 14 complaint cases to the Board for final approval. The Board reviewed each complaint lodged by patients alleging medical negligence.

After careful consideration, the Board levied a penalty of Rs. 5 million against various healthcare establishments.

Meanwhile, Convener of the Anti-Quackery Committee, Dr Ghafoor Shoro presented 79 applications for de-sealing submitted by property owners and healthcare providers seeking the reopening of their establishments under the SHCC Act.

The Board diligently examined each case and imposed a penalty of Rs. 4 million on the 79 de-sealing applications.

During the proceedings, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Dr Khalid Shaikh emphasized on the importance of patient care and rights.

He praised the SHCC team for establishing a positive reputation through transparent and impartial inquiry and decision-making in complaint case.

Dr Shaikh expressed pride in the fact that courts are referring matters to SHCC for technical evaluation before reaching any verdict.

He stressed the significance of earning the trust of both patients and healthcare providers through an open and equitable investigation process.

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SHCC makes process easier to get provisional license for HCEs

January 30, 2024 by Abid Khan

KARACHI: Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) has made the process easier to get a provisional license for healthcare establishments (HCEs).

This was decided in 64th Board of Commissioners (BoC) meeting convened by Dr Khalid Shaikh, Chairman (BoC) of SHCC at Karachi.

During the meeting, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) SHCC Dr Ahson Qavi Siddiqi presented the current registration and licensing process for healthcare establishments (HCEs), noting that the prolonged procedure deterred General Practitioners (GPs) from seeking SHCC licenses.

The Board reviewed the process and new proposal for the provisional license (PL) and approved minimal service delivery standards for GP clinics, facilitating easy compliance for PL. Dr. Khalid Shaikh emphasized the use of modern training methods to conserve resources.

The BoC sanctioned the process of online training for practitioners before issuing PL to cut the long queue.

Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, convener of the Anti-quackery Committee, shared that teams were instructed to lodge FIRs against those unlawfully unsealing HCEs without the official process.

Dr Ghulam Rasool Shah convener of the Accounts and Finance Committee, presented the position of a six-month budget and expenses with the proposal for re-appropriating unutilized funds to other accounts.

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KU to facilitate students through SAF

January 1, 2024 by Abid Khan

KARACHI: The University of Karachi is facilitating students who have secured their admissions but cannot pay the admission fee due to financial difficulties with the Students’ Admission Fund.

The KU initiated the SAF project during the covid-19 pandemic and since then the University of Karachi has been facilitating such students.

The in-charge KU Directorate of Admissions Dr Saima Akhtar said that such students can get/submit the form from the SAF Counter till January 04, 2024.

She mentioned that the SAF Counter is established in the campus gymnasium hall and would remain open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. According to her, students who want to avail of the Students Admission Fund should submit the income certificate of the father/guardian, other relevant documents including a photocopy of the computer national identity card of the student as well as the father/guardian CNIC, form B along with the online admission form and directed them to attach photocopy and last month’s utility bills including electricity, gas, water, telephone, and tenancy agreements if any.

She said that the SAF was created on the special directives of the KU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi as he wants students who want to acquire knowledge not to lose their academic year just because of financial difficulties.

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SHCC imposes Rs 8.6m fine on 134 quacks outlets

November 7, 2023 by Abid Khan

He said illegal de-easing of sealed clinics is heinous crime.
Dr Sheikh ordered CEO SHCC to conduct meeting with IG Sindh.
He said quacks should be dealt strictly across Sindh province.

KARACHI: Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) has imposed Rs 8.6million fine on 134 quacks outlets across the Sindh province over quackery practices.

Chairman Board of Commissioners (BOC),SHCC, Dr Khalid Sheikh shared these views while chairing 61st meeting of Board at SHCC Office Karachi.

He said illegal de-easing of sealed Healthcare facilities (HFs) is heinous crime and this is open challenge to writ of the Government of Sindh. He issued standing orders to the CEO SHCC to conduct meeting with IG Sindh Police and other stakeholders to devise robust collaborative strategy to deal with lawbreakers.

The meeting was attended by other members of the Board. During the meeting, CEO SHCC Dr. Ahson Qavi Siddiqi presented the proposed changes in the SHCC Regulations 2017 where recommended some important modifications in the categories of HCEs, switching from numbers of beds to the services provided at the healthcare facilities.

The BoC appreciated the proposal and give its affirmation for further process of amendment in SHCC Act and Regulations.

Convener, Anti-Quackery Committee, Dr Ghafoor Shoro updated the participants that Anti-Quackery Directorate received 137 de-sealing applications from the healthcare providers and owners of the property. The committee reviewed each de-sealing application that had fulfilled the prescribed formalities.

The Committee made decisions based on the individual circumstances, imposing penalties totaling Rs. 8.6 million against 134 HCEs and three cases were declined for re-hearing. The Board emphasize to scale-up operational activities in Divisional Head Quarters by overcoming the challenges of staff shortage.

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SHCC imposes Rs 4.2mln fines on quacks

October 3, 2023 by Abid Khan

14th meeting of Anti-Quackery Committee held at SHCC.
A total 64 cases reviewed for imposition of penalties.
A total 4.2m imposed on 64 healthcare establishments.

KARACHI: Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) has imposed Rs 4.2 million penalties on quacks over their involvement in illegal and unethical medical practices in Sindh province.

The 14th meeting of the Anti-Quackery Committee (AQC) was held at SHCC Head Office.

The meeting was chaired by Convener Anti-Quackery Committee Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, attended by Commissioners Dr. Sajjad Siddiqui and Prof. Dr Shoaib Gangat, alongside CEO -SHCC, Director Anti Quackery and team members including Deputy Director and Assistant Directors.

Under Section 28(1) of SHCC Regulations 2017, a total of 64 cases were reviewed by the Board of Commissioners for imposition of penalties.

A total fine of PKR 4.2 million was imposed on 64 healthcare establishments (HCEs), with orders to issue warnings and file FIR (First Information Report) on a case-to-case basis.

‘A robust process of follow-ups be adopted with a timeline to ensure compliance’: stated the Committee Chair Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro. Further directions were issued to the team to ensure stringent penalties on “impersonators” – quacks impersonating doctors.

The committee recommended that a special plan be implemented for an increase in the process of lodgment of FIRs (First Information Report) on illegal practitioners, involved in repeated illegal de-sealing of HCE’s.

The committee ordered that all practitioners working beyond have to submit proof of qualification / relevant educational documents including verification of degrees through respective councils and SHCC to validate the same.

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SHCC to support Govt in development of regulatory councils

September 15, 2023 by Abid Khan

SHCC plans to enhance collaboration with health Dept.
Commission to ready to assist federal government for councils.
SHCC will establish mechanisms for improving quality of care.

KARACHI: The Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC) has recognized the critical need for comprehensive regulation of allied healthcare services in the country.

Allied healthcare professionals, including aestheticians, physiotherapists, optometrists, chiropractors, speech therapists, nutritionists, behavioral/psychological counselors, and others, have been operating without a structured regulatory framework, raising concerns about patient safety and the quality of care provided.

Chairperson of the SHCC Board, Dr Khalid Shaikh, reaffirmed the commitment of SHCC to healthcare excellence by pledging support to the federal health ministry in the development of regulatory councils specifically tailored for allied healthcare services during the 59th meeting of the Board held in Karachi.

Dr. Shaikh also mentioned that the SHCC plans to strengthen its collaboration with the Department of Health, Government of Sindh, to accelerate the registration process for all public healthcare facilities. The Commission will establish robust mechanisms aimed at assisting government health facilities in improving the quality of care and ensuring the safety of patients.

Dr. Mirza Ali Azhar stated that the reactivation of the Board after a fifteen-month gap is a promising beginning. He expressed confidence that their unwavering dedication and visionary approach would significantly contribute to the future operations and success of the SHCC.

Dr Ghafoor Shoro reiterated the importance of the collective wisdom and expertise of each board member, highlighting their role in upholding the highest healthcare standards and ensuring the well-being of the community. The meeting also featured a comprehensive presentation by CEO SHCC, Dr.

Chief Executive Officer, SHCC, Ahson Qavi Siddiqi, shedding light on the scope, progress, and challenges faced by the SHCC.

He sought the strategic guidance of the Board to further enhance the quality of healthcare services within the Province of Sindh.

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SHCC fully functional across Sindh province: Dr Ahsan Qavi

August 18, 2023 by Abid Khan

He said wrong perception created against regulatory body.
CEO SHCC said quacks should be considered as criminals.
He said joint strategy needed to eradicate menace of quackery.

KARACHI: Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC) is fully functional and continuing its activities in accordance with the law and regulations, these points were discussed by Dr. Ahson Qavi Siddiqi, CEO of SHCC during the meeting with delegations of healthcare providers.

Over the past year, certain influences have created a perception that the SHCC has been inactive due to the absence of the Board of Commissioners (BoC). It’s important to clarify that the SHCC operates as an independent legal entity in accordance with the SHCC Act and Regulations. Under the SHCC Act, the Board of Commissioners primarily holds a supervisory role concerning strategic policies and guidance.

In contrast, operational activities are managed by the CEO, supported by a team of seven Directors and other members. However, he emphasized that timely notification of Board is crucial to address the evolving policy matters at the Commission.

Dr. Siddiqi highlighted the significance of distinguishing between qualified medical professionals and unauthorized practitioners. He emphasized that all operations teams have been instructed to treat qualified doctors with the dignity they deserve and facilitate them to overcome the deficiencies if any while quacks should be considered as criminals and be dealt with stern actions with the support of Law Enforcement Agencies.

Dr. Siddiqi underscored that individuals acting as team of Commission with fake identity are operating in the whole province, unnecessarily harassing the legitimate doctors. In this regard, some impersonators have already been identified and legal action is under process against them.

Moreover, he said that to counter this, the Commission has distributed bar coded identity cards to its employees. This initiative would enable the practitioners the ability to verify the authenticity of team members by checking their ID cards and confirming their legal authorization by scanning with their cell phones.

The issue of quackery, which has persisted for seventy-five years, was discussed as a substantial challenge. Dr. Siddiqi likened these unauthorized practitioners to societal mafias, exploiting the vulnerability of patients. He cautioned against relying solely on sealing and closing down fraudulent outlets as the only solution to overcome the criminal activities of quackery.

Dr. Siddiqi proposed a multi-faceted approach, including the provision of quality healthcare at government facilities, overcoming poverty, and media support for raising awareness among patients to boycott these fraudulent healers.

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SHCC sealed 989 quackery outlets in Sindh

July 8, 2023 by Abid Khan

SHCC conducted inspections in different cities of Sindh.
The teams have inspected 2868 hospitals/clinics.
The experts have trained 192 GP clinics/hospitals.

KARACHI: Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC) has sealed 989 quacks clinics from January to June 2023 across the Sindh province.

SHCC has also issued statistics from Jan-June 2023.In continuation of its efforts to control quackery practices in Sindh. The teams conducted inspections in Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad and Karachi.

In these inspections, the teams have inspected 2868 hospitals/clinics and sealed 989 quackery outlets, issued warnings to 1000 number of outlets for non-compliance, while 879 outlets were found in compliance.

During Jan-June 2023, SHCC has trained 192 GP clinics/hospitals, 64 Tibb-Unani matabs and 93 homeopathic clinics on Minimum Service Delivery Standards.

During this period, commission has issued 477 Registration Certificates, 54 Provisional Licenses and 11 Regular licenses to private and public healthcare facilities in Sindh.

SHCC has also conducted 41 inspections of Hospitals for complaint received and 45 hearings against complaints conducted. SHCC has also conducted 07 awareness sessions in hospitals to emphasize complaint mechanism and also introduced 16 complaint desks in various hospitals including Sindh Govt. of infectious diseases, branches of LRBT in Sindh, Shamsi Hospital, Hashmanis Hospital and others.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), SHCC, Dr. Ahson Qavi Siddiqi said SHCC intensified its efforts to address concerns regarding the quality of services and patient safety in both public and private healthcare facilities.

In response, SHCC has taken proactive measures to promote quality care and patient safety. Provisional license has been awarded to 650 public and private healthcare facilities by SHCC.

In order to ensure compliance with quality standards, SHCC has conducted extensive inspections at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), one of the largest hospitals in the country for the process of a regular license.

He further added that under the National Health Support Project, funded by the World Bank, SHCC is actively engaged in strengthening the services of the largest publicly funded network operating under the Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI).

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