Managerial attitude behind poor service delivery: PHC

LAHORE

The Punjab Healthcare Commission identified managerial attitude as a major factor in poor quality of service delivery in the Review and Coordination Committee meeting with Punjab Health Department at PHC office on Thursday.

Adviser to Chief Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Secretary Najam Shah led the Health Department team that met the PHC team led by PHC Chief Operating Officer (COO) Dr Muhammad Ajmal to discuss and review the implementation status of Minimum Service Delivery Standards at Government Hospitals and progress on anti-quackery campaign and quality assurance.

Khawaja Salman Rafique asked the PHC to support imparting training on standards pertaining to quality, patient safety and infection control to the staff concerned. On a suggestion from the specialised healthcare and medical education secretary, the PHC agreed to support the development of key performance indicators for the healthcare service providers. Presenting the progress of the anti-quackery campaign, the PHC COO informed the meeting that more than 3,400 premises of quacks had been made dysfunctional in 19 districts of Punjab in the initial phase while Rs 1,70,43,000 fine had been collected.

He also presented data on complaints received against health facilities of all levels and shared a district-wise comparison of the same between public and private sector. He said the teaching hospitals had started compliance with standards, and the same was needed at DHQ and THQ level.

The PHC is an autonomous body established under the PHC Act 2010 to regulate the healthcare service delivery in public and private hospitals. It is mandated to regularise the healthcare establishments through registration and licensing, development of standards for healthcare facilities, complaint management and eradication of quackery.