The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has sealed 25 healthcare establishments in Islamabad over the past week for unsafe medical practices that contributed to the spread of blood-borne infections such as Hepatitis B, C, HIV, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
These facilities, largely run by unqualified individuals or quacks, were found reusing syringes and administering powerful antibiotics without following Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols, according to IHRA officials.
Many of the sealed establishments were unregistered and posed significant public health risks due to their dangerous medical practices, IHRA reported. Dr. Quaid Saeed, IHRA’s Chief Executive Officer, voiced deep concerns, particularly over the misuse of antibiotics, including injectable carbapenem—a last-resort antibiotic—warning that such misuse is accelerating AMR in Pakistan.
In addition to the 25 facilities that were sealed, 13 others were suspended for failing to comply with medical regulations. A further 66 healthcare establishments received notices for minor violations and were instructed to meet IHRA’s standards.
IHRA’s inspections highlighted that without a comprehensive system to shut down quack-run facilities and strengthen IPC measures, the spread of blood-borne infections and AMR will continue to grow, posing serious long-term public health risks.
