Serious violations have been uncovered at 18 public and private healthcare facilities in Karachi during a special inspection campaign conducted by the Sindh Healthcare Commission.
According to the spokesperson for the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC), the commission has further intensified its special inspection campaign across the province to ensure infection prevention, patient safety, and the provision of quality healthcare services. As part of this campaign, surprise inspections were carried out at public and private healthcare facilities in Karachi’s West, South, and East districts, where multiple serious irregularities and violations of rules and regulations were identified.
The spokesperson stated that a total of 18 healthcare facilities were inspected, including 10 clinics, 4 hospitals, 2 maternity homes, and 2 primary healthcare centers. Inspection teams conducted a detailed review of registration, licensing, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), safe disposal of medical waste, sterilization, patient safety, and other healthcare standards.
The spokesperson said that the inspections revealed that 11 out of the 18 healthcare facilities were operating without registration, while 5 registered institutions did not possess the mandatory provisional license issued by the Sindh Healthcare Commission. Only 2 healthcare facilities were found to be both registered and in possession of a provisional license.
He stated that the commission has issued notices to all violating institutions, directing them to rectify deficiencies and fulfill the relevant legal requirements within seven days.
According to the spokesperson, stricter legal action will be taken under the Sindh Healthcare Commission Act against institutions that fail to comply with the instructions within the specified period.
He further stated that extremely serious irregularities were identified during the inspection of a major maternity hospital in District South, which were deemed a threat to the health of patients, particularly newborns and mothers. Based on these violations, the Sindh Healthcare Commission ordered the immediate closure of the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Operation Theatre, and Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD).
According to the spokesperson, formal action has been decided against two maternity homes, one hospital, and one primary healthcare center due to serious violations. The inspections also revealed violations related to the safe disposal of medical waste, proper management of used syringes and other biomedical waste, sterilization procedures, and infection control protocols at several healthcare facilities, which were described as a matter of public health concern.
He said that the commission will continue taking indiscriminate action against institutions that endanger patients’ lives, provide substandard healthcare services, and violate regulations. No compromise will be made on safe injection practices, effective sterilization, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and the safe disposal of medical waste.
The spokesperson added that the special inspection campaign will continue across the province to ensure that all healthcare institutions comply with prescribed medical and legal standards and that citizens receive safe, quality, and responsible healthcare services.
