11 February 2005	Friday	01 Muharram 1426

PESHAWAR, Feb 10: The NWFP Health Regulatory Authority (HRA) has asked medical practitioners to register their clinics, laboratories and investigation centres with it by Feb 28 or face action.

"All the qualified medical practitioners registered with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, Homeopathy Council and Tib Council, who are running hospitals and nursing or maternity homes in the private sector, are required to register themselves with the HRA by the due date," said an official of the authority.

In reply to a question, he said the registration date had already been extended from Jan 31 to Feb 28.

The HRA, established under the NWFP Medical and Health Institutions and Regulation of Health Care Services Ordinance 2002, has issued letters to the executive district officers (health), asking them to ensure that all clinics are registered.

The official said that the clinics not complying with the directive would face closure, adding that so far 700 clinics had been registered in the province and the registration of another 150 clinics was under process. He said the registration certificate would be valid for one year and could be renewed every year.

In reply to a question about the clinics and laboratories operating without a valid registration certificate from the PMDC or homeopathy or tib councils, the HRA official said such outlets would no longer be allowed to practice.