LAHORE: The Punjab Healthcare Commission has sealed five maternity homes and served notices on 24 other gynae centres.

A spokesperson said on Saturday that inspection of 90 such centres was carried out by PHC teams during the last two days in different parts of the metropolis.

Maryam Maternity Home (Garhi Shahu), Al-Khair Medical and Ultrasound Centre (Gulberg), Rahat Medical and Gynae Centre and Ali Medical and Gynae Centre (Thokar Niaz Beg) and Maryum Clinic (Temple Road) were sealed since these neither had employed qualified staff nor were registered with the PHC.

Moreover, 25 registered centres were allowed to function with a direction that these should get licences from the PHC.

The teams also checked the disposal system of the registered healthcare establishments, instructing them to follow special instructions for disposing of wastage.

The spokesperson said more than 70 per cent complaints investigated by the PHC pertained to obstetrics and gynaecology. Subsequent investigations revealed unqualified medical practitioners and quacks were running these centres.

“Prior to the establishment of the PHC, maternity centres remained completely unregulated. The commission is taking stringent action against all illegal practitioners and inspecting all maternity centres. Healthcare establishments run by quacks and illegal medical practitioners are being sealed,” said the spokesperson while adding that qualified and registered practitioners were being advised to improve their operational procedures and practices, specifically with regard to waste management.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2018