News
PMA regrets delay in formation of Sindh Healthcare Commission
* Association’s president says this legislation needed to eliminate quackery
APP
KARACHI: Pakistan Medical Association has regretted unwarranted delay in the required legislation for formation of “Sindh Healthcare Commission”, which was meant to address alleged inefficiency and incompetence among doctors.
Office-bearers of PMA Central and PMA Karachi talking to APP Friday said the proposed commission, draft of which was finalized in the May last year and since then rigorously scrutinized by all concerned departments, including law and health, required political will for early adoption by the provincial assembly. “This extremely public-friendly legislation that could eliminate quackery and its wide range of connotations needed immediate attention of the law makers,” said President, PMA - Karachi, Prof. Idrees Adhi.
Dr Qaiser Sajjad of PMA - Central said law for formation of the much awaited Commission, once adopted in actual letter and spirit, will also be extremely important to develop trust between patients and the medical community. Avenues, in all parts of the world, exist where patients can register their complaints about negligence on part of the doctors, nurses or any concerned professional. In reply to a question Dr Adhi said the commission would be equally beneficial for all healthcare establishments, public and private hospitals, non-profit organizations, charitable hospitals, trust hospitals, semi government and autonomous healthcare organizations.
It shall also monitor and regulate the quality and standards of the healthcare providers, enquire and investigate maladministration, malpractice and failures in the provision of healthcare services and will issue advice and orders. All medical institutions and professionals have to be necessarily registered with the Commission that would also be authorized to grant, revoke and renew licenses to the medical practitioners, pertaining to wide category of healthcare services.
Dr Idrees Adhi said this is to ensure that grievances may be redressed in a proper way. About patients’ rights, he said in case where a patient sustains injury or dies as a result of improper treatment in a healthcare establishment and, in case of death, determined on the basis of medical autopsy report, the attendants of the deceased shall have the right to approach directly to the Commission and will be entitled to register their case against the defaulter.
Responding to a query the two medical activists reiterated the “Commission” would not only protect the rights of healthcare centers but will simultaneously provide full protection to the patients. The proposed Commission, they said will also issue regulations, guidelines, instructions and directives to persons engaged in the provision of healthcare services. The commission shall frame the guidelines to save health service provider from harassment, undue pressure and damage to property in performing their professional duties.
“If anyone directly approaches to the Police Department in connection with his grievances, the Police Authority will refer the same case to the Commission for rectification immediately,” he said. The doctors said commission will thoroughly examine the referred case and issue its judgment and that the commission will also take cognizance of any case of harassment of healthcare service provider or damage to healthcare establishment property and may refer such a case to the competent forum.
Dr Adhi said Commission would comprise senior doctors, with no less than 15 years experience and a retired high court judge. To another query, he said PMA and Association of Private Hospitals and Clinics remained actively involved in drafting the constitution of the commission.
Dr Qaiser Sajjad said that PMA recommendations were in line with due care towards patients’ rights as well as that of the medical community who are made accountable for their professional obligations. Responding to another query, he said the proposed commission will equally cover hospitals, diagnostic Centres, medical clinics, Nursing Homes, Maternity Homes, Laboratories, Dental Clinics, Physiotherapy Clinics, Homeopathic Clinics/hospitals, Tibb Clinics/Hospitals, Acupuncture Clinic or any system of treatment. It will be mandatory for each of these facilities to get themselves registered with Health Department government of Sindh.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk