BAJAUR: Authorities here on Tuesday launched action against illegal health facilities and sealed five private outlets for operating without proper permission.

The illegal health facilities including two private dental clinics, a laboratory and two pharmacy stores were sealed in different areas by a joint team of district administration and local health department officials. The team was headed by the assistant commissioner, Dr Sadiq Ali.

According to a statement, the team, which also included the district health officer, Dr Gohar Khan, took the action against the said outlets after they were found operating illegally.

It said that both the dental clinics were sealed after the visiting officials witnessed that the dentists running the outlets were unqualified and having no proper degree, which was necessary for operating such facilities.

It said that the laboratory and the medicine store were sealed after the team could not find any documents with their owners obligatory for running such outlets as per rules of health department.

The statement said that the officials imposed heavy fine on the owners of two private hospitals for not following rules and regulations of health department.

It said that action against illegal health facilities would be continued across the district to ensure that healthcare services were provided to people in a safe and regulated environment.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2025