The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Care Commission (KP HCC) has announced significant progress in the health sector, with 19,612 health care establishments (HCEs) being registered in just three years, from April 2022 to April 2025. This marks a substantial leap compared to the 7,717 facilities registered in 2022.

Established in 2002, the Health Regulatory Authority had not issued any licenses in its first 20 years. However, the last three years have seen a formal initiation of the licensing process, which involves multiple stages before an HCE can be granted a license.

During this period, 82 health care establishments received full licenses, while 519 were granted provisional licenses. A total of 2,431 facilities were sealed for various violations, and 3,131 public complaints were addressed in line with the Commission’s regulations.

Additionally, 38,443 health care establishments were geo-tagged, and 907 staff members received training on the “Minimum Service Delivery Standards.”

Dr Shefa Haider, Director of Registration at KP HCC, emphasised the tireless efforts of officers and staff, who achieved these milestones despite limited resources. Key accomplishments include the digitization of the registration process, geo-tagging of health facilities, ensuring compliance with quality standards, and taking decisive action against quacks.

Dr Haider explained that the licensing process is rigorous and starts with training staff on health care quality standards. This is followed by a grace period for facilities to implement these standards.

The Commission’s primary goal is not to police but to help health institutions provide quality services to patients. A formal assessment by a team of experts follows, and facilities failing the first assessment are given a second chance, as per the law. Sealing of facilities occurs only in cases of significant violations.

The KP HCC has conducted 258 assessments for licensing over the past three years, a major achievement in improving the healthcare standards in the province.