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. Dr. Khalid Shaikh, Chairperson of the SHCC Board, 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. The meeting was attended by other members of the Board including
Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Dr. Mirza Ali Azhar, Prof. Sameer Qureshi, Prof. Shoaib Gangat, Dr.
Sajjad Siddiqui, and Syed Ghulam Rasool Shah. Dr. Mirza Ali Azhar shared the reactivation of
the Board after a fifteen-month hiatus, describing it as a promising start. He expressed confidence
that their unwavering dedication and visionary approach would significantly contribute to the
future operations and success of the SHCC Dr. 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 Dr. Ahson Qavi Siddiqi, shedding light on the scope, progress, and
challenges faced by the SHCC. Dr. Siddiqi sought the strategic guidance of the Board to further
enhance the quality of healthcare services within the Province of Sindh. The Directors of SHCC
also attended the meeting and shared their thoughts with the Board about the operations of SHCC.
The SHCC team made sure that the Commission is well-prepared to take the lead in changing how
healthcare is regulated. They are committed to improving people’s health and raising the quality
of healthcare in the province.