LAHORE: The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has sealed four operating theatres and three laboratories, suspended surgical services in seven theatres, and indoor services of three private hospitals over multiple violations.

It has issued hearing notices for partial implementation of the standards in the patient safety areas.

A spokesperson for the PHC said the commission teams carried out surprise inspections of eight leading private hospitals of the city, including Surgimed Hospital, Omar Hospital, Ammar Medical Complex, OMC Hospital, Mid-City Hospital, Rana Poly Clinic, Race View Hospital and Raza Medical Complex.

He said the PHC has barred three of these private hospitals from admitting new patients.

It has sealed a medicine storage area of a private hospital for keeping the expired medicines.

Similarly, the PHC inspection team suspended the dental surgical services of another private hospital over serious violations it had noticed regarding safety standard protocols notified by the commission for the patient care.

Moreover, the blood bank and ultrasound services of two different private hospitals were also suspended by the PHC over same complaints.

The spokesperson said the respective administrations of these hospitals have been directed to appear before the PHC hearing committee to submit written replies regarding the reasons for the failure to implement the standards.

Moreover, it has been declared and conveyed strictly that these hospitals would not be able to resume the sealed or suspended healthcare services without having a resumption letter from the PHC.

The spokesperson added that special attention has been paid to the implementation of the standards in the patient safety areas.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2023