Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring safe, quality, and accountable healthcare services. To intensify this core effort, SHCC has undertaken a special inspection and enforcement drive across the province to assess compliance with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Medical Waste Management practices in public and private Healthcare Establishments (HCEs).
According to a press release issued by the organization, over the last few days, multidisciplinary inspection teams of SHCC officials conducted comprehensive on-site assessments of 18 healthcare establishments in the West, South, and East districts of Karachi on daily basis. The inspections evaluated compliance with critical Infection Prevention and Control measures, including hygiene, safe discarding practices of sharps and syringes, sterilization and disinfection procedures, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), environmental cleaning, and the safe segregation, handling, transportation, treatment, and disposal of medical waste.
The inspection findings revealed significant regulatory concerns. Of the 18 HCEs inspected, 11 were operating without registration, five were registered but had not obtained a Provisional License, while two establishments were both registered and provisionally licensed. Warning notices were issued to the relevant healthcare establishments, directing them to rectify the identified deficiencies within seven days. Follow-up inspections will be conducted to verify the implementation of corrective measures and ensure sustained compliance.
Where serious violations posed an immediate threat to patient safety, SHCC initiated regulatory enforcement actions, including closure orders and the immediate suspension of certain services. Enforcement measures were taken promptly against two maternity homes, one hospital, and one primary healthcare centre.