Sindh Healthcare Commission struggles to reach public hospitals — I
Limited compliance, staffing gaps, and overlapping authority impede effective regulation By Mukhtar Alam KARACHI: Despite a decade-old mandate to regulate all healthcare providers, the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) has been struggling to bring public-sector hospitals and clinics into its licensing net — largely due to delayed administrative buy-in from the Sindh Health Department, a situation that has lately come to light. The Commission, an autonomous body established under the Sindh Healthcare Commission Act, 2013, is tasked with strengthening healthcare quality, safety, and accountability across the province. The law and its accompanying rules envisage that SHCC will ensure minimum service delivery standards and patient-centred care in both public and private sectors. However, observers say the Commission continues to face persistent challenges in securing compliance from healthcare providers across the board. Registration and licensing are legally mandatory for all he...