LAHORE: Teams of Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) sealed five drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation centres and issued show-cause notices to three others in the provincial metropolis on Thursday.

Premises of another 42 quacks were also closed down in Lahore, Kasur and Sheikhupura, said a spokesperson.

The PHC teams conducted raids on 15 drug treatment centres in the city and closed down Lahore Psychiatric Centre for not having psychiatrists, doctors, para-medical staff and the emergency cover, while the living and food facilities were also bad.

The Nida Clinic was also sealed because of the poor human resource and record keeping of patients. Likewise, Blessing Psychiatry Centre, Umeed Clinic and Rehab Centre and Exclusive Management for Addiction of Alcohol and Narcotics (EMAAN) Clinic were also closed down.

Show-cause notices were served on Silver Lining Addiction Centre, Islamic Addiction Treatment Centre and Shaaf Clinic with the directive not to admit more patients and discharge the under-treatment ones within 24 hours.

During the last five days, the PHC had taken action against 46 addiction treatment centres, sealed 15 and served show-cause notices on 22 other entities.

Meawhile, the PHC teams sealed 17 quacks businesses in Lahore, 14 in Kasur and 11 in Sheikhupura.

Of the 141 quacks’ centres visited, 39 practitioners found to have closed down their quackery outlets, said the spokesperson.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2018