ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA), during a fortnight, suspended services of 11 healthcare establishments (HCEs) due to different reasons including keeping expired lab reagents, absence of qualified staff and lack of proper waste management system As many as three labs were found involved in preparing fake Covid-19 reports. Moreover, 37 HCEs were served notices and directed to apply for registration with IHRA.

According to details, IHRA inspection teams carried out inspections of 55 HCEs in different areas of Islamabad Capital Territory during the past two weeks.

The teams visited hospitals, diagnostic labs, collection points, dental clinics, vaccination centres, G.P clinics and homeo/tibb clinics.

Three labs found involved in preparing fake Covid-19 reports

According to an official statement, services being provided at DNA Digger Lab, Islamabad Healthcare Lab and Citi Medicare Lab were suspended for preparing fake Covid-19 reports whereas Al-Fateh Medical Centre and Tariq Dental Clinic for unhygienic conditions. Khalil Clinic and Clinical Lab, Tooth Designer, Ismail Dental Clinic, Allianz Laboratory/Hassan Medical Centre, Noman Medical Centre and Clinics and Diagnostics Hospital services were suspended for different non-compliances including keeping expired lab reagents, absence of qualified staff and lack of a proper waste management system.

It is worth mentioning that the country is already facing an embarrassing situation as fake vaccination reports of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Senator Ishaq Dar, Kulsoom Nawaz [late wife of Nawaz Sharif who died in 2018] have also reportedly been issued.

Moreover, 37 healthcare establishments were served notices and directed to apply for registration with IHRA.

It is worth mentioning that after Noor Mukadam’s murder in Islamabad on July 20, the IHRA decided to inspect HCEs. Some of the suspects involved in the case were associated with a known therapy and drug rehabilitation centre which was later sealed by the district administration.

During inspections of therapy and drug rehabilitation centres, it was revealed that more than one patient was admitted on each bed and medicines, which cannot be given for more than 40 days, were being given for up to six months. A unique case was also reported in which a son admitted his father at a rehab centre before going to the United Kingdom.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2021