The Punjab Healthcare Commission has intensified its campaign against unlicensed and unsafe medical practices, sealing 1,415 treatment centres across the province during a six-week enforcement drive.
The Commission’s Anti-Quackery Department conducted 6,380 inspections and raids as part of the campaign. The operation focused on facilities where medical treatment was being provided without proper authorisation or by individuals lacking the required qualifications.
Among the locations sealed, 1,153 were found to be actively operating as illegal treatment centres. Enforcement teams also took action against premises that had previously been sealed, facilities where seals had been tampered with, unregistered clinics and places abandoned by individuals involved in unauthorised medical practice.
During the inspections, officials also identified 143 centres being run by qualified healthcare professionals. These facilities were reviewed as part of the wider monitoring process.
The PHC placed another 4,068 treatment centres under surveillance, allowing authorities to continue monitoring their activities and compliance with healthcare regulations.
The campaign also led to the closure, relocation or conversion of 376 centres into other types of businesses following enforcement measures.
The large-scale operation reflects the Commission’s efforts to prevent people from receiving medical treatment at facilities that fail to meet required standards. Unqualified medical practice can expose patients to serious risks and undermine confidence in the healthcare system.
Regular inspections and follow-up monitoring are considered important to ensure that facilities previously targeted by authorities do not resume unauthorised activities.
The latest campaign covered different parts of Punjab and involved thousands of inspections within a relatively short period.
The PHC’s enforcement figures highlight the scale of the challenge posed by illegal treatment centres across the province. Continued monitoring will be necessary to ensure that sealed facilities remain closed and that new unauthorised centres do not emerge.
The Commission is expected to maintain its anti-quackery efforts as part of its broader responsibility to promote safer healthcare practices and protect patients across Punjab.
