Punjab Healthcare Commission

Punjab-Healthcare-Commission-PHC-Logo

Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) is a regulatory authority established to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare service delivery for all public and private healthcare establishments, including hospitals, clinics, and laboratories in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The commission aims to ensure that healthcare services are accessible, affordable, and of high quality for the residents of Punjab, in line with the best international practices.

History and Background

The Punjab Healthcare Commission was established under the Punjab Healthcare Commission Act 2010, in response to the growing need for a regulatory body to oversee the standards of healthcare services in the province. The establishment of PHC marked a significant step towards institutionalizing the process of ensuring quality in healthcare services and protecting patient rights.

Objectives and Functions

The primary objectives of the Punjab Healthcare Commission include the development and implementation of standards for healthcare service providers, the licensing of healthcare establishments, and the inspection and accreditation of healthcare services. The PHC is also responsible for investigating complaints about healthcare services and taking disciplinary actions against those who fail to comply with the set standards.

Key Functions

• Developing and enforcing minimum service delivery standards for all healthcare establishments.
• Licensing of healthcare establishments to ensure compliance with the prescribed standards.
• Conducting inspections and audits of healthcare services.
• Investigating complaints and taking action against healthcare establishments not adhering to the standards.
• Promoting safe and quality healthcare services through training and capacity building of healthcare providers.

Regulatory Framework

The regulatory framework of the Punjab Healthcare Commission is based on the Punjab Healthcare Commission Act 2010, which provides the legal basis for its operations. The act outlines the powers, functions, and responsibilities of the commission, ensuring that it operates within a structured legal framework to achieve its objectives.

Challenges and Achievements

The PHC faces several challenges in regulating a diverse and complex healthcare sector. These include ensuring uniform standards across a wide range of healthcare establishments, managing the resistance from some healthcare providers, and addressing the public's lack of awareness about patient rights and quality healthcare services. Despite these challenges, the PHC has made significant progress in improving healthcare standards in Punjab, including the accreditation of numerous healthcare establishments and the development of various service delivery standards.

Future Directions

The Punjab Healthcare Commission continues to work towards enhancing the quality of healthcare services in the province. Future directions include expanding the scope of its regulatory activities, increasing public awareness about healthcare rights and services, and leveraging technology to improve healthcare service delivery and regulatory processes.