Punjab Healthcare Commission - PHC

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Punjab Healthcare Commission - PHC

Striving to improve healthcare and service delivery in Punjab

Government of the Punjab has set up the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) to introduce a regime of clinical governance in the province. The provincial Assembly enacted the Punjab Healthcare Commission Act in July 2010 to ensure delivery of quality health services in private as well as public sectors. PHC is expected to yield high impact results in the health sector including establishment of a system of robust, rules-based regulation of public & private healthcare sectors, standardization of services, accountability of service failures and matters of alleged medical negligence, leading to a system of accreditation in the health sector.

05/09/2025

PHC develops HMIS requirements for private hospitals
Commission for ensuring universal patient medical record number across all HCEs

To enhance health service delivery and decision-making across various levels, the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has outlined requirements for the Health Management Information System (HMIS), which will be introduced in private category-I hospitals during the first phase.
In the same vein, the PHC has urged the Punjab government to take immediate steps towards the introduction of a Universal Patient Medical Record Number (UPMRN) and the establishment of the HMIS across all healthcare establishments in the province.
In a letter addressed to the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department by Chairperson Board of Commissioners PHC Major Azam Suleman Khan (Retd.), the Commission highlighted that the lack of a centralised and unified system for patient records remains a significant obstacle to improving healthcare quality, ensuring patient safety, and enabling data-driven policy reforms. The PHC emphasised that fragmented and incompatible systems currently used by public and private hospitals result in duplication, inefficiencies, and hinder the continuity of patient care.
The Commission proposed that a universal patient identifier be issued to every individual, enabling their medical history to be securely accessed across hospitals, clinics, laboratories and diagnostic centres. This would facilitate better clinical decision-making, reduce medical errors and support integrated health service delivery.
The PHC also underlined the importance of an integrated HMIS that is interoperable, compliant to the global best practices and adaptable to the provincial context. Such a system would allow real-time reporting of health data, monitoring of disease patterns and evidence-based resource allocation, thus strengthening both preventive and curative care mechanisms.

05/09/2025

پنجاب ہیلتھ کیئر کمیشن نے نجی ہسپتالوں کے لیے مینجمنٹ انفارمیشن سسٹم کی شرائط وضع کرد یں
کمیشن کا یونیورسل پیشنٹ میڈیکل ریکارڈ نمبر اور مربوط ایچ ایم آئی ایس کے قیام پر زور

صحت کی خدمات کی فراہمی اور مختلف شعبوں میں فیصلہ سازی کو بہتر بنانے کے لیے پنجاب ہیلتھ کیئر کمیشن نے ہیلتھ مینجمنٹ انفارمیشن سسٹم (ایچ ایم آئی ایس) کے لیے رہنما شرائط وضع کی ہیں، جو پہلے مرحلے میں کیٹیگری ون نجی ہسپتالوں میں متعارف کرائے جائیں گے۔اسی تناظر میں پی ایچ سی نے پنجاب حکومت پر زور دیا ہے کہ وہ فوری اقدامات اٹھاتے ہوئے یونیورسل پیشنٹ میڈیکل ریکارڈ نمبر (یو پی ایم آر این) متعارف کرائے اور صوبے کی تمام علاجگاہوں میں ایچ ایم آئی ایس کا قیام عمل میں لائے۔پی ایچ سی کے بورڈ آف کمشنرز کے چیئرپرسن میجر (ر) اعظم سلیمان خان کی جانب سے سیکرٹری سپیشلائزڈ ہیلتھ کیئر اینڈ میڈیکل ایجوکیشن ڈیپارٹمنٹ کو بھیجے گئے خط میں کمیشن نے اس بات پر زور دیا کہ مریضوں کے ریکارڈ کے لیے مرکزی اور یکساں نظام کی عدم موجودگی صحت کے معیار کو بہتر بنانے، مریضوں کی حفاظت کو یقینی بنانے اور ڈیٹا پر مبنی پالیسی اصلاحات میں بڑی رکاوٹ ہے۔ پی ایچ سی نے وضاحت کی کہ سرکاری اور نجی ہسپتالوں میں اس وقت استعمال ہونے والے غیر مربوط نظام، غیر مؤثر اور مریضوں کے علاج میں تسلسل کی راہ میں حائل ہیں۔کمیشن نے تجویز دی کہ ہر مریض کو ایک منفرد یونیورسل شناختی نمبر جاری کیا جائے، جس کے ذریعے اس کے پہلے کیے گئے
علاج معالجہ کو ہسپتالوں، کلینکس، لیبارٹریوں اور ڈائیگناسٹک مراکز میں درست طریقہ سے حاصل کیا جا سکے۔ اس اقدام سے بہتر کلینیکل فیصلے ممکن ہوں گے، طبی غلطیوں میں کمی آئے گی اور مربوط صحت کی خدمات کو فروغ ملے گا۔پی ایچ سی نے مزید زور دیا کہ ایک مربوط ایچ ایم آئی ایس ناگزیر ہے، جو عالمی بہترین طریقوں کے مطابق اورصوبائی تناظر کے لیے موزوں ہو۔ ایسا نظام صحت ڈیٹا کی بروقت رپورٹنگ، بیماریوں کے رجحانات کی نگرانی اور شواہد پر مبنی وسائل کی تقسیم کو ممکن بنائے گا، جس سے احتیاط اور علاج کے نظام کو تقویت ملے گی۔چیئرمین پی ایچ سی نے مزید کہا کہ کمیشن صحت کے صوبائی محکموں، متعلقہ اداروں اور معالجین و منتظمین کے ساتھ مل کر ایک مضبوط، قابل توسیع اور محفوظ ایچ ایم آئی ایس فریم ورک تیار کرنے اور نافذ کرنے کے لیے پرعزم ہے۔

05/09/2025

PHC consults stakeholders on revision of MSDS for clinical laboratories

In pursuit of its mandate to strengthen healthcare regulation and improve patient safety, the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) held a consultative meeting with key stakeholders to review and update the minimum service delivery standards (MSDS) for clinical laboratories. The aim was to ensure that the revised standards align with both national and international best practices, while remaining practical, acceptable, and focused on patient safety.
The meeting brought together 17 distinguished pathologists from Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Jhelum, and Sargodha, who attended in person, along with 10 senior experts from Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, Multan, Jhang, and Rahim Yar Khan, who participated via videoconference. Also present were representatives from the Pakistan Association of Pathologists, public and private healthcare institutions, and professional bodies.
Welcoming the participants, Director Clinical Governance and Organisational Standards Dr Mushtaq Ahmad briefed them on the background of the MSDS for clinical laboratories, initially developed in 2015 through a rigorous consultative process and operationalised since 2017 after approval by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the Board of Commissioners (BoC). He underscored the need for revision to incorporate advances in diagnostic technologies, evolving healthcare legislation, and lessons learned from recent implementation.
Participants commended the PHC for its inclusive approach, noting that their engagement at every stage of development, dissemination, and inspection had significantly contributed to improved laboratory practices. They emphasised the importance of strengthening the standards further to enhance the accuracy and quality of diagnostic testing, thus improving treatment outcomes and safeguarding patient safety.
Several key recommendations emerged during the consultation. Experts suggested categorising laboratories based on their scope of work, with compliance requirements tailored accordingly. They also recommended increasing the number of laboratories overseen by qualified pathologists to ensure professional supervision. Rationalisation of tests permitted as point-of-care diagnostics was proposed to maintain quality standards in reporting. Participants further highlighted the need for PHC inspection teams to adopt a more facilitative approach, with the inclusion of qualified pathologists in inspection teams to ensure technical accuracy and professional credibility. Suggestions were also made for merging specific indicators and introducing new ones to strengthen the grading and accreditation framework.
It was agreed that a working group of senior pathologists would further refine the proposals and submit consolidated feedback within a week. These consensus-based inputs will be incorporated into the revised MSDS draft before being placed before the TAC and the BoC for approval.

03/09/2025

Guidance for General Practitioners (GPs)

Dr Somia Iqtadar, Associate Professor of Medicine at King Edward Medical University and Secretary General of the Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine, as well as former chairperson of the Dengue Expert Advisory Group, offers detailed guidance to general practitioners on the treatment of dengue patients.

Please visit the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnUkb5CDZA4&list=PLSKFvTNyK1r6f9i6cEVBPEgrU8HTUOR1j&index=3

02/09/2025

PHC convenes consultation on guidelines for ambulance services

The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC), in its commitment to enhancing the quality of care and strengthening patient safety, convened a consultative meeting at its head office to deliberate on the development of guidelines for ambulance services in Punjab. The meeting brought together representatives from the Health and Population Department, Punjab Emergency Services Department (PESD), ambulance manufacturers, philanthropic service providers such as the Edhi Welfare Organisation and Chhipa Welfare Association, along with senior representatives from six leading public and private tertiary care hospitals. The primary objective was to engage stakeholders in shaping quality parameters that would ensure safe, timely and well-equipped ambulance services for patients.
Opening the session, Director Clinical Governance and Organisational Standards Dr Mushtaq Ahmed underscored that the PHC’s regulatory authority derives from the PHC Act 2010, and this mandate includes framing regulations for ambulances operated by healthcare establishments. He clarified that while the Punjab Emergency Service Act, 2006, established Rescue 1122 as both a provider and regulator of emergency services, its jurisdiction is limited to rescue vehicles and personnel, excluding hospital-based and privately-operated ambulances. Recognising this regulatory gap, the PHC has resolved to work in close collaboration with the PESD, leveraging the authority vested under the PHC Act to develop comprehensive guidelines, which are intended to rationalise ambulance operations, promote safe usage and ensure timely access to quality pre-hospital care.
The proposed quality parameters will cover the scope of services, compliance to the legal requirements, adherence to the PESD regulations, registration with the PESD, infection prevention and control protocols, staffing requirements and the provision of equipment proportionate to the nature of services provided. Participants strongly agreed that ambulance design and manufacturing must prioritise accessibility to essential medicines, instruments, equipment and logistics, thereby enabling staff to deliver critical medical aid efficiently during the Golden Hour.
Registrar Emergency Services Academy Dr Muhammad Farhan Khalid reiterated that all ambulances operating in Punjab must be registered with the PESD and comply with its prescribed standards. A representative of an ambulance fabrication firm welcomed PHC’s initiative, highlighting that ensuring quality to international benchmarks at an affordable cost is vital for both patient comfort and safety during transit. Additional Director Directorate General of Health Services Punjab Dr Shahzad Sarwar emphasised the need for training ambulance staff, including drivers, in providing resuscitation and emergency care during the initial stabilisation of patients until definitive treatment is available in hospitals.
After extensive deliberations, the participants reached a consensus on progressing with the development of the Ambulance Services Guidelines. The initiative was widely recognised as a vital step towards enhancing patient safety, standardising pre-hospital care, and addressing longstanding regulatory gaps in Punjab’s healthcare system.

02/09/2025

پنجاب ہیلتھ کیئر کمیشن کاٹیچنگ ہسپتالوں کے نظرثانی شدہ معیارات پر مشاورتی اجلاس
معیارات کی نظرثانی وقت کی ضرورت،زمینی حقائق کے مطابق قابلِ عمل ہیں،چیئرپرسن اعظم سلیمان

پنجاب ہیلتھ کیئر کمیشن (پی ایچ سی) نے کیٹگری ون(49بیڈز سے زائد) ہسپتالوں کے لیے نظرثانی شدہ فراہمی ِ صحت کے معیارات پر غور و خوض کے لیے ایک اعلیٰ سطحی مشاورتی اجلاس پیر کو یہاں منعقد کیا۔اجلاس کی صدارت چیئرپرسن بورڈ آف کمشنرز پی ایچ سی میجر (ر) اعظم سلیمان خان نے کی جبکہ چیف ایگزیکٹو آفیسر پی ایچ سی ڈاکٹر محمد ثاقب عزیز، کمیشن کے سینئر افسران اور پنجاب کے بڑے تدریسی ہسپتالوں اور طبی اداروں کے اعلیٰ عہدیداران نے بھی شرکت کی۔ نمایاں شرکاء میں وائس چانسلر کنگ ایڈورڈ میڈیکل یونیورسٹی پروفیسر ڈاکٹر محمود ایاز، پرنسپل سروسز انسٹی ٹیوٹ آف میڈیکل سائنسز پروفیسر ڈاکٹر زہرہ خانم، ڈین ریسرچ کالج آف فزیشنز اینڈ سرجنز پروفیسر ڈاکٹر غلام مصطفی ارائیں اور صدر پاکستان سوسائٹی آف انٹرنل میڈیسن پروفیسر ڈاکٹر آفتاب محسن شامل تھے۔افتتاحی کلمات میں چیئرپرسن اعظم سلیمان ے اس امر پر زور دیا کہ کمیشن کی ذمہ داری ہے کہ وہ مستند معالجین اورمریضوں کے حقوق کا تحفظ یقینی بنائے۔ انہوں نے بتایا کہ کمیشن نے نئے ریجنل دفاتر قائم کر کے اپنی رسائی کو بہتربنایا ہے تاکہ مسائل کو دور کیا جا سکے۔ انہوں نے مزید کہا کہ معیارات کی نظرثانی وقت کی ضرورت ہے تاکہ یہ زمینی حقائق کے مطابق، قابل عمل اور سیاق و سباق سے ہم آہنگ رہیں۔ڈاکٹر ثاقب عزیز نے بتایا کہ کمیشن نے معیارات پر ای سرٹیفکیشن تربیتی پروگرام کا آغاز کیا ہے، جس کے ماڈیول انفیکشن کنٹرول سے شروع ہوں گے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ یہ اقدام معالجین کو خود رفتار اور منظم تربیت و سرٹیفکیشن فراہم کرے گا، جس سے تعمیل میں بہتری آئے گی، مریضوں کا تحفظ یقینی بنے گا اور مجموعی طور پر صحت کی دیکھ بھال کا معیار بہتر ہوگا۔ڈائریکٹر کلینکل گورننس ڈاکٹر مشتاق احمد نے شرکاء کو آگاہ کیا کہ موجودہ فریم ورک، جو 2012 میں تیار کیا گیا تھا، اب نظرثانی کا متقاضی ہے۔ اس مقصد کے لیے وسیع مشاورت، نئی قانون سازی اور معالجین آراء کو شامل کیا گیا ہے۔ شرکاء نے پی ایچ سی کے مشاورتی طریقہ کار کو سراہا۔ پروفیسر ڈاکٹر محمود ایاز نے زور دیا کہ معیارات کو ہمیشہ مقامی حقائق کے مطابق ہونا چاہیے۔ پروفیسر ڈاکٹر مصطفیٰ ارائیں نے کہا کہ ماضی میں معیارات پر عملدرآمد ایک مشکل کام تھا، تاہم پی ایچ سی کی مسلسل مدد سے صحت کے نظام میں نمایاں بہتری آئی ہے۔ یہ فیصلہ کیا گیا کہ تمام شرکاء کی آراء کو حتمی مسودے میں شامل کیا جائے گا، جسے بورڈ آف کمشنرز کی منظوری کے بعد صوبائی حکومت کو پیش کیا جائے گا۔

01/09/2025

PHC holds consultation on revised MSDS for category-I hospitals

The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) convened a high-level consultative meeting here on Monday to deliberate on the revised version of the minimum service delivery standards (MSDS) for category-I (more than 49 beds) hospitals.
The meeting was chaired by Chairperson Board of Commissioners PHC Major Azam Suleman Khan (Retd.), and attended by Chief Executive Officer PHC Dr Muhammad Saqib Aziz, PHC’s senior management, and executive tiers of leading tertiary care and teaching hospitals as well as professional medical bodies. Among the prominent participants were Vice-Chancellor King Edward Medical University, Prof Dr Mahmood Ayaz; Principal SIMS, Prof Dr Zohra Khanum; Dean of Research CPSP, Prof Dr Ghulam Mustafa Arain; and President Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine, Prof Dr Aftab Mohsin.
In his opening remarks, the Chairperson highlighted the PHC’s dual responsibility of facilitating healthcare service providers while safeguarding patient rights through accountability. He apprised that the Commission is strengthening its outreach through the establishment of new regional offices to address operational issues faced by providers. He added that the revision of MSDS is imperative to ensure standards remain practical, context-specific and reflective of healthcare realities in Punjab, with additional attention to areas such as aesthetic medicine, ambulance services, and oxygen supply policies.
Dr Saqib Aziz shared that the Commission has launched an e-Certification training programme on the MSDS, starting with modules on infection prevention and control. “This initiative will provide healthcare service providers with self-paced, structured training and certification, helping to improve compliance, optimise patient safety and enhance overall quality of care,” he added.
Director Clinical Governance and Organisational Standards Dr Mushtaq Ahmed informed that the current MSDS framework, first developed in 2012, required revision after extensive consultation, new legislation and providers’ feedback. The revised draft proposes the inclusion of nine new standards and 62 additional indicators, while ensuring no unnecessary expansion in the continuous quality improvement (CQI) and patient rights & empowerment (PRE) areas.
Participants appreciated PHC’s inclusive and consultative approach. Prof Dr Mahmood Ayaz stressed that standards should remain contextualised to local realities. Prof Dr Mustafa Arain noted that while the implementation of quality standards has historically been challenging, the PHC’s continued support has significantly strengthened the healthcare system. Prof Dr Aftab Mohsin emphasised that the revision of MSDS is integral to strengthening PHC’s regulatory framework and ensuring the consistent delivery of quality care.
It was agreed that participant feedback will be incorporated into the final draft of the revised MSDS before submission to the Board of Commissioners for approval and subsequent presentation to the provincial government.

01/09/2025

PHC seals 555 quacks’ outlets across Punjab

Continuing its province-wide anti-quackery campaign, the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has sealed 555 outlets being operated by quacks.
During the last month, PHC enforcement teams conducted visits of more than 2,200 treatment centres. Of these, 343 previously identified centres have now been taken over by qualified doctors who are providing legitimate healthcare services. Surveillance has also been initiated for another 1,168 centres to ensure compliance to regulations.
Among the districts, Lahore recorded the highest enforcement activity, with 206 centres sealed. Other significant closures included 39 outlets in Kasur, 38 in Okara, and 32 each in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Narowal. In Lahore, several well-known establishments were sealed, including Al-Sadat Welfare Society (Gilani Clinic), Ali Clinic, Rajput Medical Store, Bismillah Gynae, Murtaza Clinic, and Saad Clinic.
The PHC spokesperson added that, to date, the Commission has inspected over 243,000 treatment centres across Punjab. Of these, more than 62,900 illegal outlets have been permanently shut down, while nearly 29,000 quacks have abandoned their unlawful practices.

01/09/2025

پنجاب ہیلتھ کیئر کمیشن نے صوبہ بھر میں 555 اتائیت کے مراکز سیل کردیے

پنجاب ہیلتھ کیئر کمیشن (پی ایچ سی) نے اپنی صوبہ گیر انسدادِ اتائیت مہم کو جاری رکھتے ہوئے پنجاب بھر میں اتائیوں کے 555 مراکز کو سیل کر دیا ہے۔گزشتہ ماہ کے دوران پی ایچ سی کی انفورسمنٹ ٹیموں نے 2,200 سے زائد علاجگاہوں کا معائنہ کیا۔ ان میں سے 343 ایسے مراکز ہیں جہاں اب مستند اور رجسٹرڈ معالجین مریضوں کو معیاری علاج فراہم کر رہے ہیں۔ مزید برآں، 1,168 مراکز کی نگرانی بھی شروع کر دی گئی ہے تاکہ قواعد و ضوابط پر عمل درآمد کو یقینی بنایا جا سکے۔اتائیوں کے خلاف کارروائیوں کے دوران اضلاع میں لاہور سب سے نمایاں رہا، جہاں 206 مراکز سیل کیے گئے۔ دیگر اہم کارروائیوں میں قصور میں 39، اوکاڑہ میں 38، جبکہ راولپنڈی، گوجرانوالہ اور نارووال ہرایک میں 32مراکز سیل کیے گئے۔ لاہور میں کئی معروف مراکز کو بھی سیل کیا گیا، جن میں السعادت ویلفیئر سوسائٹی (گیلانی کلینک)، علی کلینک، راجپوت میڈیکل سٹور، بسم اللہ گائنی، مرتضیٰ کلینک اور سعد کلینک شامل ہیں۔پی ایچ سی کے ترجمان نے بتایا کہ اب تک کمیشن پنجاب بھر میں 2 لاکھ 43 ہزار سے زائد مراکز پر چھاپے مار چکا ہے، جن میں سے 62,900 سے زائدغیر قانونی مراکز کو مستقل طور پر بند کیا جا چکا ہے جبکہ تقریباً 29,000 اتائی اپنے غیر قانونی دھندہ چھوڑ چکے ہیں۔

28/08/2025

To ensure uninterrupted and safe delivery of healthcare services during the ongoing and anticipated heavy floods across Punjab, all private hospitals have been placed on Emergency Health Alert with immediate effect.

28/08/2025

The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) presents its e-certificate course on the minimum service delivery standards (MSDS), a flexible, self-paced digital training programme designed specifically for healthcare professionals.

To join, follow the link below:

https://ecertification.phc.org.pk/ #/pages/login

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185-Ahmad Block, Garden Town

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+924299333161

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http://www.phc.org.pk/

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