LAHORE: The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has stopped two hospitals from functioning and imposed a fine of Rs0.6 million for negligence in treating patients while sending cases of two doctors to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council for initiating legal proceedings against them.

A spokesperson said here on Sunday the PHC imposed a fine of Rs0.5 million on the Faisal Medicare Trust Hospital in Pakpattan for providing poor health facilities.

Muhammad Ijaz had approached the PHC with the complaint that he got his right arm fractured in a road accident and went to the Trust Hospital where one Faisal performed surgery. But after a week, his fingers showed impaired movement.

In its investigation, the PHC found that Faisal was a homoeopathic physician impersonating as an orthopaedic surgeon. While cancelling the registration of the hospital, the PHC imposed a fine of Rs0.5m for providing treatment to patients by unqualified staff and misrepresentation during the proceedings with the PHC. Moreover, the case of Dr Muhammad Waseem was sent to the PM&DC for carrying out surgeries at an ill-equipped healthcare establishment.

In the other case, Ali Medicare Centre in Okara was also stopped from working and fined Rs0.1m for employing unqualified staff for treating patients.

Khalid Mehmood had stated in his complaint that he brought his son to the Centre for treatment, but his condition started deteriorating because the boy was being treated by unqualified dispenser Shahjehan. The PHC has sent the case of Dr Hafiz Liaquat Ali to the PM&DC on the allegation of promoting quackery and imposed a fined of Rs35,000 on Shehjehan for treating patients without requisite qualification.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2017