Karachi: DAQ- Directorate of Anti-Quackery meeting was chaired by the Committee-Convener, Dr. Khalid Sheikh to discuss, evaluate and take action on applications and cases, submitted by the property owners/ practitioners, for De-sealing of HCE’s (HealthCare Establishments).
The meeting was also attended by Mr. Jawad Amin Khan and Dr Razaq Sheikh Member Board of Commissioners, Mr. S. Zeeshan A Shah Director Anti-Quackery and all Deputy Directors – Anti Quackery team.
The Directorate team presented a total of 46 cases from 6 divisions of the province, to the committee for review. There were 14 cases from Karachi, 7 from Hyderabad, 5 from Mirpurkhas, 4 from SBA, 5 from Sukkur and 4 from Larkana and 7 appeals for decision by the Committee.
The recommendation of the Committee included the imposition of fine of a total of Rs. 1,690,000/- (One Million Six Hundred and Ninety Thousand only) in penalties against the healthcare establishments directly or indirectly involved in ‘Quackery’ practices in violation and non-compliance of SHCC act and regulations.
Committee convener further advised the team to nominate a focal point of contact/ focal person for each division of Sindh, to lodge the First Information Report (FIR) against the quacks, in case of anyone who may have unlawfully challenged the writ of the state or be involved in illegal De-sealing of clinics, with strict instructions to vacate the property on immediate basis. It was also instructed that property owners who may have illegally rented their premises to quacks were to terminate their rental / tenancy agreement as per law.
Emphasis was given to the fact that if anyone property owner is found to have been in connivance with the quack, strict actions will be taken against the respective owner as per regulations and laws in place. A decision was taken to publish a notice through the media to intimate all property owners to follow legal procedures and protocols as per the SOPs in place by SHCC.
Any owner who will fail to apply for De-sealing for his/ her premises/ property will be referred for legal actions by the concerned authorities.
The meeting was also attended briefly by the CEO SHCC–Dr Ahson Qavi Siddiqi, where his expert opinion was sought on a special case conclusion. All comments were updated in the minutes of the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 5 pm.
