The Punjab Healthcare Commission Act 2010

[1]THE PUNJAB HEALTHCARE COMMISSION ACT 2010

(Act XVI of 2010)

[2 August 2010]

An Act to improve quality of healthcare services and ban quackery

in the Punjab in all its forms and manifestations.

Preamble.– Whereas it is expedient to provide for establishment of the Punjab Healthcare Commission, to make provisions for the improvement of quality of healthcare services, to ban quackery in all its forms and manifestations and to provide for ancillary matters;

It is enacted as follows:-

Chapter I

Introductory

1. Short title, extent, commencement and application.– (1) This Act may be cited as the Punjab Healthcare Commission Act 2010.

(2) It shall extend to the whole of the Punjab.

(3) It shall come into force at once.

(4) It shall apply to all healthcare establishments, public or private hospitals, non-profit organizations, charitable hospitals, trust hospitals, semi-government and autonomous healthcare organizations.

2. Definitions.– In this Act–

(i) “accreditation” means the process of accepting or declaring a healthcare establishment providing services in accordance with the standards and accepted medical, allopathic, homeopathic or Tibb-i-Unani protocols, guidelines or tools;

(ii) “Board” means the Board of Commissioners constituted under section 5;

(iii) “certificate of registration” means the certificate issued by the Commission evidencing registration of a healthcare service provider;

(iv) “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Board;

(v) “chief executive officer” means the chief executive officer of the Commission;

(vi) “clinical governance” means a systematic approach to maintaining and improving the quality of patient care;

(vii) “Commission” means the Punjab Healthcare Commission;

(viii) “Commissioner” means a member of the Board nominated under section 5;

(ix) “convener” means the convener of the Technical Advisory Committee;

(x) “Council for Homeopathy” means the National Council for Homeopathy established under the Unani, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic Practitioners Act 1965 (II of 1965);

(xi) “Council for Tibb” means the National Council for Tibb established under the Unani, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic Practitioners Act 1965 (II of 1965);

(xii) "Fund" means the Fund established under the Act;

(xiii) “Government” means the Government of the Punjab;

(xiv) “grading” means the ranking of the healthcare establishments made on the basis of the tools;

(xv) “healthcare establishment” means a hospital, diagnostic centre, medical clinics, nursing home, maternity home, dental clinic, homeopathy clinic, Tibb clinic, acupuncture, physiotherapy clinic or any other premises or conveyance–

(a) wholly or partly used for providing healthcare services; and

(b) declared by the Government, by order published in the official Gazette, as a healthcare establishment;

(xvi) “healthcare services” means services provided for diagnosis, treatment or care of persons suffering from any physical or mental disease, injury or disability including procedures that are similar to forms of medical, dental or surgical care but are not provided in connection with a medical condition and includes any other service notified by the Government;

(xvii) “healthcare service provider” means an owner, manager or incharge of a healthcare establishment and includes a person registered by the Medical and Dental Council, Council for Tibb, Council for Homeopathy or Nursing Council;

(xviii) “inspection team” means a team comprising more than two medical experts having postgraduate qualification and not less than fifteen years experience in the concerned field, and consisting of one employee of the Commission and others from public or private sector, to inspect any healthcare establishment under the Act;

(xix) “license” means a license issued by the Commission under the Act for the use of any premises or conveyance as a healthcare establishment and “licensed” and “licensing” shall be construed accordingly;

(xx) “licensee” means a person to whom license has been issued under the Act;

(xxi) “Medical and Dental Council” means the Medical and Dental Council constituted under the Medical and Dental Council Ordinance 1962 (XXXII of 1962);

(xii) “medical negligence” means a case where a patient sustains injury or dies as a result of improper treatment in a healthcare establishment and, in case of death, determined on the basis of medical autopsy report;

(xxiii) “Nursing Council” means the Pakistan Nursing Council established under the Pakistan Nursing Council Act 1973 (XXVI of 1973);

(xxiv) “Pakistan Medical Association” means the Pakistan Medical Association, a society registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 (XXI of 1860);

(xxv) “performance audit” means a process done through the tools and other similar instruments;

(xxvi) “person” includes association of persons, authority, body, company, corporation, individual, partnership, proprietorship or other entity;

(xxvii) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules or regulations made under the Act;

(xxviii) “property” includes all kinds of property and assets, whether movable or immovable, tangible or intangible, deeds of title or any document evidencing right, title or interest of any kind in any property or assets;

(xxix) “quack” means a pretender providing health services without having registration of the Medical and Dental Council, Council for Tibb, Council for Homeopathy and Nursing Council;

(xxx) “registration” means registration under section 13 of the Act;

(xxxi) “regulations” means the regulations made under the Act;

(xxxii) “rules” means Rules made under the Act;

(xxxiii) “staff” means any employee or Commissioner of the Commission and includes consultants, advisors, liaison officers and experts;

(xxxiv) “standards” include the minimum service delivery standards notified by the Government;

(xxxv) “Technical Advisory Committee” means the Committee constituted under section 10 of the Act; and

(xxxvi) “tools” include the third party performance audit tools notified by the Government.

Chapter II

Healthcare Commission and Governance

3. Establishment of the Commission.– (1) The Government may, by notification, establish a Commission to be called the Punjab Healthcare Commission for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

(2) The Commission shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal, with powers to enter into contract, sue and be sued by its name.

(3) The head office of the Commission shall be at Lahore and it may have such other offices in the Punjab as the Board may determine.

4. Functions and powers of the Commission.– (1) The Commission shall perform such functions and exercise such powers as may be required to improve the quality of healthcare services and clinical governance and to ban quackery.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (1), the Commission shall–

(a) maintain register of all healthcare service providers;

(b) grant, revoke and renew licenses to persons involved in the provision of the healthcare services and to vary terms and conditions and purposes of the licenses;

(d) operate accreditation programmes in respect of the healthcare services and to grant accreditation to such healthcare service providers who meet the standards;

(e) enquire and investigate into maladministration, malpractice and failures in the provision of healthcare services and issue consequential advice and orders;

(f) impose and collect fees and charges on registration, licensing and accreditation under this Act;

(g) impose and collect penalties on violation, breach or non-compliance of the provisions of the rules, regulations, standing orders and instructions issued under this Act;

(h) advocate rights and responsibilities of recipients and providers of the healthcare services;

(i) hold seminars, conferences and meetings on developing awareness about provision of high quality healthcare services;

(j) enter into agreement or arrangement with the Federal Government or a Provincial Government, any authority, board, council or entity, non-governmental organization, domestic or international institution or agency for the purposes of this Act;

(k) coordinate, liaise and network with any person, agency or institution;

(l) take on lease land, buildings for the purpose of offices or premises of the Commission at such price and on such term as may be necessary;

(m) appoint, engage, authorize and terminate employees, consultants, advisors, attorneys, inspection teams, contractors, agents and experts on such terms and conditions as deemed fit and assign, delegate or entrust them with such functions and powers as are expedient for the performance of functions of the Commission;

(n) take measures for the welfare of the present and past employees of the Commission as well as its all registered members;

(o) issue regulations, guidelines, instructions and directives to persons involved in the provision of Healthcare services;

(p) grading of the healthcare establishments; and

(q) take necessary steps to ban quackery.

(3) The Commission may assign any of its functions to a person on such terms and conditions as may be agreed between the Commission and the person.

(4) In the performance of its functions, the Commission shall–

(a) take into consideration the policy advice of the Technical Advisory Committee; and

(b) co-ordinate with the Government.

(5) Subject to sub-section (6), the Commission shall conduct third party evaluation through independent performance audit of healthcare establishments in a phased manner.

(6) The Commission shall not conduct third party evaluation through independent performance audit of healthcare establishments in the private sector other than tertiary care hospitals.

(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, the Commission may–

(a) on a complaint by any aggrieved person; or

(b) on a complaint by any aggrieved healthcare service provider;

and shall–

(d) on a motion of the Supreme Court of Pakistan or the Lahore High Court made during the course of any proceedings before it,

undertake investigation into allegations of maladministration, malpractice or failures on the part of a healthcare service provider, or any employee of the healthcare service provider.

(8) The Commission shall take cognizance of any case of harassment of a healthcare service provider or damage to a healthcare establishment and may refer such a case to the competent forum.

(9) The Commission shall take measures and devise a strategy to counter sale of drugs without prescription.

(10) The Commission may exercise the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), in respect of the following matters:-

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;

(b) compelling the production of documents;

(d) issuing commission for the examination of witnesses.

(11) The Commission shall not investigate or inquire into any matter subjudice before a Court of competent jurisdiction on the date of the receipt of a complaint, reference or motion.

(12) The Commission may authorize members of the staff to administer oaths and to attest various affidavits, affirmations or declarations which shall be admitted in evidence in all proceedings under this Act without proof of the signature or seal or official character of such person.

5. Constitution of the Board.– (1) The general superintendence, direction and management of the affairs of the Commission and overall policy making in respect of its operations shall vest in the Board which may exercise all such powers and do all such acts, deeds and things that may be exercised or done by the Commission under this Act.

(2) The Government shall notify the Board which shall consist of nine Commissioners, seven of whom shall be nominated on the recommendation of the committee.

(3) A person shall not be eligible to be nominated as Commissioner unless he possesses a minimum of fifteen years experience in public or private sector.

(4) The committee shall recommend to the Government a panel of two persons for each vacant post of the seven Commissioners to be nominated on the recommendation of the committee.

(5) The Government shall nominate a former Judge of the Lahore High Court and a financial expert as Commissioners.

(6) The Board shall regulate the conduct of its meetings, quorum and minutes of the meetings.

(7) The Government shall prescribe the remuneration payable to a Commissioner for attending a meeting of the Board.

(8) A decision of the Board shall not be valid if decided in a meeting without quorum.

(9) The committee, for the purpose of recommendation for nomination of Commissioners under this section, shall consist of the following:

(a) Secretary to the Government, Health Department; Chairman

(b) Vice Chancellor of a health sector University Member

nominated by the Government;

(d) a representative of the private healthcare Member

establishments nominated by the Government;

(e) a representative of the general practitioners Member

nominated by the Government;

(f) a representative of the Council for Tibb; and Member

(g) a representative of the Council for Homeopathy. Member

6. Term of the Commissioners.– (1) A Commissioner shall hold office for a term of three years and shall be eligible for re-nomination in accordance with the provisions of section 5.

^{^[2]}[(1a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Commissioner shall serve during the pleasure of the Government.]

(2) In case of a casual vacancy of a Commissioner, the Government shall appoint a person as Commissioner in accordance with the provisions of section 5 for the remainder of the term of the Commissioner who has died, resigned ^{^[3]}[, removed] or disqualified under this Act.

7. Disqualifications.– No person shall be, or shall continue to be, the Chairperson or a Commissioner who–

(a) has tendered resignation and not withdrawn it within a period of thirty days;

(b) is, or at any time has been, adjudicated as insolvent;

(d) is, or has at any time been, convicted of any offence which, in the opinion of the Government, is an offence involving moral turpitude;

(e) absents himself from three consecutive meetings of the Board, without leave of absence from the Board;

(f) is an employee, advisor or consultant of a healthcare service provider; and

(g) is a salaried official of the Commission.

8. Chairperson.– (1) The Commissioners shall hold a secret ballot to elect the Chairperson from amongst themselves for a term of three years.

(2) The Government shall notify the Chairperson elected by the Commissioners and the Chairperson shall hold office during the pleasure of majority of the Commissioners.

(3) The Chairperson shall cease to hold office if a vote of no confidence has been passed by the majority of the Commissioners or he ceases to hold office as Commissioner.

(4) The Chairperson shall not, for one year after the expiry of his term of office, enter into the employment or accept any advisory or consultancy relationship with any healthcare service provider.

9. Functions and powers of the Board.– (1) The Board may–

(a) determine the character, value and mission of the Commission;

(b) provide leadership and oversight of activities of the Commission;

(d) establish and maintain strategic direction of the Commission;

(e) oversee implementation of strategic objectives of the Commission;

(f) monitor performance and review achievements of the Commission;

(g) ensure adequate and effective governance and risk management systems in the Commission;

(h) promote and develop partnerships with other organizations;

(i) approve the standing orders of the Commission;

(j) approve annual plans and reports;

(k) approve annual accounts, budget and estimates of income and expenditure;

(l) appoint inspection team;

(m) appoint bankers and auditors;

(n) handle and redress any complaint about the Commission;

(o) appoint, oversee, authorize the chief executive officer, determine his terms and conditions of service and take any disciplinary action against him; and

(p) regulate appointment, grades, appraisal, dismissal and terms and conditions of service of the employees of the Commission.

(2) The Board shall take all the decisions regarding penalties, suspension and revocation of licenses in a meeting.

(3) The Board may establish committees for assistance and advice to the Board in relation to the performance of its functions and determine the membership, remuneration of members and terms of reference of each committee.

10. Technical Advisory Committee.– (1) The Board shall constitute a Technical Advisory Committee consisting of the following members:-

(a) one person each to be nominated by the–

(i) Medical and Dental Council;

(ii) College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan established under the Pakistan College of Physicians and Surgeons Ordinance 1962 (XX of 1962);

(iii) Nursing Council;

(iv) Pharmacy Council of Pakistan established under the Pharmacy Act 1967 (XI of 1967);

(v) Federal Mental Health Authority constituted under the Mental Health Ordinance 2001 (VIII of 2001);

(vi) Council for Homeopathy;

(vii) Council for Tibb;

(viii) Auditor General of Pakistan;

(ix) University of Health Sciences, Lahore;

(x) Punjab Medical Faculty constituted under the Medical and Dental Degrees Ordinance 1982 (XXVI of 1982);

(xi) King Edward Medical University, Lahore;

(xii) Pakistan Medical Association; and

(xiii) Government from amongst the young doctors;

(b) one representative of the Government;

(d) one representative each of the six District Governments selected by the Government for one year on non-recurring basis;

(e) one person each to be nominated by the Government from the private healthcare establishments;

(f) five experts in healthcare services to be nominated by the convener of the Technical Advisory Committee in consultation with the Chairperson; and

(g) two international health experts to be nominated by the Government.

(2) Except for the ex-officio members, all other members of the Technical Advisory Committee shall hold office for a period of three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for another term of three years.

(3) The Technical Advisory Committee shall elect one of its members as the convener.

(4) The convener of the Technical Advisory Committee shall chair meetings of the Technical Advisory Committee and the chief executive officer may attend any meeting of the Committee.

(5) The Board may determine the remunerations payable to the members of the Technical Advisory Committee for attending a meeting.

(6) The Technical Advisory Committee may organize itself into sub-committees and shall provide advice on any matter referred to it by the Commission, including the matters relating to–

(a) policy and strategic framework of the Commission;

(b) healthcare standards, accreditation and quality assurance;

(d) advocacy, promotion and contribution towards development and sustainability of the work of the Commission; and

(e) stakeholder consultation for the promotion of quality and standards of the healthcare services.

11. Chief executive officer.– (1) The Board shall appoint a person having a minimum of fifteen years of experience in hospital or public administration, medicine, accounting, finance, law, regulation or other related field to be the chief executive officer of the Commission.

(2) The chief executive officer shall, subject to the supervision and control of the Board, administer the affairs of the Commission, and may exercise such powers as are delegated to him by the Board.

(3) In particular, the chief executive officer may–

(a) manage the administration, operations and functions of the Commission;

(b) act as the principal accounting officer responsible and accountable for the management of the Commission’s funds and assets;

(d) assist the Board in strategic thinking, planning and leadership and implement its policies;

(e) protect the financial health of the Commission;

(f) act as spokesperson and advocate of the Commission; and

(g) provide leadership to the senior management and direction to all staff.

(4) The chief executive officer shall devote his whole time and attention to the affairs of the Commission.

12. Disqualifications of chief executive officer.– A person shall not be appointed or hold office as chief executive officer who–

(a) is a member of the Federal or Provincial legislature, local council or local body constituted under any law or has contested last general election;

(b) is employed in any capacity in the service relating to the affairs of the Federation or Province or hold any office for which salary or other remuneration is payable out of public funds;

(c) is a director, officer or employee of any healthcare service provider or has an interest or share in any healthcare establishment;

(d) has been convicted of tax evasion or for an offence involving moral turpitude; or

(e) is in default of payments due from him, for more than one hundred and eighty days, to any bank, financial institution, cooperative society, governmental agency, department or corporation.

Chapter III

Registration and Licensing

13. Registration.– (1) A healthcare service provider shall not provide healthcare services without being registered under this section and the regulations.

(2) An existing healthcare service provider shall, within a period of ninety days of the coming into force of this Act, apply for registration in accordance with this section and the regulations.

(3) A person seeking to be registered as a healthcare service provider shall make an application to the Commission in the prescribed form and accompanied by such particulars, documents as the Commission may prescribe.

(4) If a person fulfills the requirements of this section, the Commission shall issue a certificate of registration to the person within fourteen days otherwise the applicant shall be considered as having provisionally registered.

(5) The Commission may impose a fine which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees upon a healthcare service provider or who pretends to be a healthcare service provider without registration.

14. Licensing.– (1) A healthcare establishment shall not be used except in accordance with the terms and conditions of a license issued by the Commission.

(2) If a healthcare establishment is not licensed under this Act, the Commission may impose a fine which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees upon the healthcare service provider.

(3) In case of shifting of a healthcare establishment, the license issued earlier under this Act shall be valid but the healthcare service provider shall inform the Commission prior to the shifting of the healthcare establishment.

15. Application for licenses.– Within thirty days of the issuance of the certificate of registration or such other time as may be fixed by the Government, the healthcare service provider shall make an application for a license to the Commission in the prescribed form which shall be accompanied by such particulars, documents and fees as the Commission may prescribe.

16. Licensing procedure.– (1) The Commission shall, on receipt of an application, complete with all required documents under section 15, issue a provisional license to the healthcare establishment and shall, within the period of thirty days from the date of acceptance of the application, issue the regular license to the healthcare establishment.

(2) The Commission may, before issuing the license, inspect the healthcare establishment which is to be licensed, or cause such healthcare establishment to be inspected by an inspection team.

(3) A license issued by the Commission under this section–

(a) shall be in such form as may be prescribed;

(b) shall be valid for the period of five years; and

17. Kinds of licenses.– (1) Every license of a healthcare establishment shall specify the kind of healthcare establishment for which it is issued and the purposes of the healthcare establishment.

(2) A licensed healthcare establishment shall not be used for any purpose other than the purposes in respect of which the license is issued and purposes incidental to such purposes.

(3) The Commission shall maintain a register of all licensed healthcare establishments and may enter in the register any necessary details or other particulars of the healthcare establishments.

18. Revocation and suspension of licenses.– (1) The Commission may revoke a license if the license has been obtained by fraud or misrepresentation.

(2) The Commission may suspend a license of a healthcare establishment if repeated cases of medical negligence of same nature have proved against the healthcare establishment.

19. Medical negligence.– (1) Subject to sub-section (2), a healthcare service provider may be held guilty of medical negligent on one of the following two findings:-

(a) the healthcare establishment does not have the requisite human resource and equipments which it professes to have possessed; or

(b) he or any of his employee did not , in the given case, exercise with reasonable competence the skill which he or his employee did possess.

(2) The recognized and known complications of a medical or surgical treatment are not considered as medical negligence.

Chapter IV

Standards of Healthcare Services

20. Standards of healthcare services.– (1) The Commission shall implement the standards developed and approved by the Government.

(2) The Commission, with the approval of the Government, shall–

(a) prepare and publish standards in relation to the provision of healthcare services; and

(b) keep the standards under review and publish amended standards whenever deemed appropriate.

(3) The Government may, after considering any representations made in relation to the standards prepared and published by the Commission, make such revision of the standards as deemed necessary and the Commission shall publish the revised standards.

(4) The Commission or the Government shall, for meeting the mutually agreed standards, give an appropriate and reasonable period of time by keeping in view the ground realities regarding availability of trained human resource, improvement of the existing human resource and all other allied factors.

21. Accreditation.– (1) The Commission shall develop framework and procedures for the accreditation of the healthcare establishments and issue necessary guidelines and instructions in this behalf in a phased manner.

(2) The Commission shall review the best national and international practices in accreditation and build supportive links and enter into collaborations and agreements with national and international organizations in relation to accreditation of the healthcare establishments.

Chapter V

Inspection and Enforcement

22. Inspection.– (1) The Commission may, by order in writing, appoint an inspection team to perform the functions and exercise the powers of the Commission in relation to inspections under this Act, rules or regulations subject to such conditions and limitations as the Commission may specify in this behalf.

(2) The inspection team may inspect a healthcare establishment:

(a) at the time of issuance and renewal of license; or

(b) on receipt of a complaint.

(3) The inspection team may inspect any apparatus, appliance, equipment, instrument, product, goods or item used or found in, or any practice or procedure being carried out at, the healthcare establishment.

(4) The inspection team may enquire any case if there has been any instance or allegation of maladministration, malpractice or failure in the provision of healthcare services against a healthcare establishment.

(5) The Commission may impose a fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees upon a healthcare service provider who–

(a) refuses or fails, without reasonable cause, to furnish any information to the inspection team; or

(b) gives any false or misleading information to the inspection team.

(6) Except in the case of a prosecution for an offence under this Act, a member of the inspection team shall not be bound to give evidence in any proceedings in respect of, or to produce any document containing, any information which has been obtained from any healthcare establishment in the course of carrying out any investigation, inspection, enquiry or performing any duty or function under this Act.

(7) A member of the inspection team shall not disclose any information at any forum which is contained in the medical record, or which relates to the condition, treatment or diagnosis, of any person, as may have come to his knowledge in the course of carrying out any investigation, inspection, enquiry or performing any duty or function under this Act unless allowed in writing by the Commission.

23. Procedure of investigation.– (1) The Commission shall prescribe the procedure for the conduct of investigation to be carried out by the Commission under this Act.

(2) An aggrieved person may, within sixty days from the date of knowledge of the cause of action, file a complaint against a healthcare service provider or healthcare establishment by submitting an application in writing supported by an affidavit of the aggrieved person.

(3) The Commission shall not entertain an anonymous or pseudonymous complaint against a healthcare service provider or healthcare establishment.

24. Directions as to apparatus, appliance, equipment or products.– Where, in the opinion of the inspection team:

(a) the use of any apparatus, appliance, equipment, instrument, product, goods or item; or

(b) the carrying out of any practice or procedure in a healthcare establishment,

is dangerous or detrimental to any person therein or otherwise unsuitable for the purpose for which it is used or carried out, he shall immediately report, the matter in writing to the Commission along with the necessary details. On receipt of report the Commission may act according to the rules, regulations and the procedure prescribed by the Government.

25. Obstructing inspection team.– The Commission may impose a fine which may extend upto fifty thousand rupees on a person who obstructs, hinders or impedes an inspection team in the performance of its function or execution of its duty.

26. Violations by bodies corporate.– (1) Where any contravention of this Act is committed by a body corporate and it is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any director, manager, secretary or other officer or employee of the body corporate, or any person who purported to act in any such capacity, he as well as the body corporate shall be liable to pay fine for the violation.

(2) Where it appears to the Commission that the circumstances of a case warrant action under any other law, the Commission may refer such case to the concerned governmental authorities or law enforcement agencies for appropriate action under relevant laws.

27. Protection from liability.– No suit or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Commission, Board, Technical Advisory Committee, chief executive officer, officers, inspection teams, advisors, consultants or agents of the Commission for anything done in good faith in the execution or purported execution of this Act, rules or regulations.

28. Jurisdiction of Commission for adjudication of fine.– (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, the Commission may, for contravention of a provision of this Act, rules or regulations, impose fine which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees in accordance with the provisions of this Act, keeping in view the gravity of offence.

(2) The Commission shall afford adequate opportunity of hearing to a person before imposing fine on the person under this Act.

(3) If the complaint, submitted either by an aggrieved person or a healthcare service provider, is proved false, the Commission may impose fine which may extend to two hundred thousand rupees upon the complainant.

29. Immunity.– No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings related to provision of healthcare services shall lie against a healthcare service provider except under this Act.

30. Bar of jurisdiction.– Save as provided in this Act, no court other than the Court of the District and Sessions Judge shall have jurisdiction–

(a) to question the validity of any action taken, or intended to be taken, or order made, or anything done or purporting to have been taken, made or done under this Act; or

(b) to grant an injunction or stay or to make any interim order in relation to any proceeding before, or anything done or intended to be done or purporting to have been done by, or under the orders or at the instance of the Commission.

31. Appeal.– (1) A person who is aggrieved by the–

(a) refusal of the Commission to issue or renew a license;

(b) decision of the Commission to suspend or revoke a license;

(d) order relating to equipments, apparatus, appliances, or other things at a healthcare establishment; or

(e) imposition of fine by the Commission.

may, within thirty days from the date of communication of the order of the Commission, prefer an appeal in writing to the District and Sessions Judge.

(2) The healthcare service provider shall provide legal aid to a person, working in the healthcare establishment, pertaining to the matters related to this Act.

Chapter VI

Fund, Budget and Accounts

32. The Fund.– (1) There shall be established a Fund for the purposes of this Act which shall vest in, and be administered and controlled by the Commission.

(2) The Fund shall consist of–

(a) such sums as the Government may grant by way of seed money or otherwise;

(b) donations from domestic and international donor agencies and other institutions;

(c) grants of money and sums borrowed or raised by the Commission for the purposes of meeting any of its obligations or discharging any of its duties;

(d) fees, penalties or other charges imposed under this Act; and

(e) all other sums which may in any manner become payable to or vested in the Commission in respect of any matter incidental to the exercise of its functions and powers.

(3) The Fund shall be expended for the purpose of–

(a) paying any expenditure lawfully incurred by the Commission, including the remuneration of employees appointed by the Commission, their provident fund contributions, superannuating allowances or gratuities

(b) meeting the costs and charges of the contractors, inspection teams, advisors, consultants and agents hired by the Commission;

(c) paying any other expenses, costs or expenditure properly incurred or accepted by the Commission in the performance of its functions or the exercise of its powers under this Act, including legal fees and costs;

(d) purchasing or hiring equipment, machinery and any other materials, acquiring land and erecting buildings, and carrying out any other work and undertakings in the performance of its functions or the exercise of its powers under this Act;

(e) repaying any financial accommodation received or moneys borrowed under this Act and the profit, return, mark-up or interest due thereon; and

(f) generally paying any expenses for carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.

33. Annual budget.– (1) The Commission shall prepare and approve annual budget for a financial year in the prescribed manner.

(2) No expenditure shall be made for which provision has not been made in any approved budget except if made from any previously approved contingency funds, unless further approval is sought and obtained from the Board.

34. Annual report and accounts.– (1) Within ninety days from the end of each financial year, the Commission shall prepare a report on the activities and performance of the Commission, including inspections carried out under this Act during the financial year and submit a copy of the report to the Government.

(2) The Commission shall keep proper accounts and shall, as soon as practicable, after the end of each financial year, prepare a statement of accounts of the Commission for the financial year which shall include a balance sheet and an account of income and expenditure.

(3) The Commission shall appoint a firm of chartered accountants for audit of the statement of accounts of the Commission.

(4) The Board shall, within one hundred and twenty days of the end of each financial year, together with the annual report of the Commission under sub-section (2), send a copy of the statement of accounts of the Commission certified by the auditors and a copy of the auditors' report to the Government.

35. Investments.– (1) Subject to sub-section (2), the Commission may, in so far as its moneys are not required to be expended under this Act, invest the surplus moneys in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) The Commission shall not invest its money in listed securities or any derivative thereof whether listed or not.

Chapter VII

Miscellaneous

36. Executive authorities to assist the Commission.– All executive authorities and law enforcement agencies of the Government shall act in aid of the Commission.

37. Recovery of fines and other dues as arrears of land revenue.– The Commission may recover the fines imposed under this Act or other dues recoverable under the Act as arrears of land revenue under the Punjab Land Revenue Act 1967 ( of 1967).

38. Failure to comply with the decision of the Commission.– Any person who, in the opinion of the Commission, fails to comply with the final decision or recommendation of the Commission, the Commission may impose a fine which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees on the person.

39. Removal of difficulties.– If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provision of this Act, the Government may make such order not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as may appear to it to be necessary for the purpose of removing such difficulty.

40. Regulations.– (1) The Commission may, by notification in the official Gazette, make regulations for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1), the Commission may make regulations with respect to all or any of the following matters:-

(a) the forms, fees and registers for the purposes of this Act;

(b) the records of patients treated in a healthcare establishment are provided;

(d) the requirements as to the number and qualifications of nursing and other staff in a healthcare establishment;

(e) the apparatus, appliances, equipment and instruments to be provided and maintained in a healthcare establishment;

(f) the ambulances to be provided and maintained by a healthcare establishment;

(g) the standards of accommodation, sanitation, and other amenities in a healthcare establishment;

(h) fix penalties according to offence;

(i) the cleanliness and hygiene in a healthcare establishment;

(j) the safety and welfare of patients in a healthcare establishment are provided;

(k) the management, control, superintendence and care of a healthcare establishment;

(l) the composition, procedures, duties and responsibilities of quality assurance committees of healthcare establishments; and

(m) the regulation and control of prices of the healthcare services.

(3) The power to make regulations conferred by this section shall be subject to the condition of previous publication and, before making any regulations, the draft thereof shall be published, in the official Gazette, two newspapers of wide circulation and on the website of the Commission, for eliciting public opinion thereon within a period of not less than fifteen days from the date of publication.

41. Rules.– (1) The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for giving effect to the provisions of this Act.

(2) The power to make rules conferred by this section shall be subject to the condition of previous publication and, before making any rule, the draft thereof shall be published in the official Gazette for eliciting public opinion thereon within a period of not less than fifteen days from the date of publication.

[1]This Act was passed by the Punjab Assembly on 22 July 2010; assented to by the Governor of the Punjab on 30 July 2010; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 2 August 2010, pages 465-477.

[2]Inserted by the Punjab Healthcare Commission (Amendment) Act 2024 (VI of 2024).

[3]Inserted by the Punjab Healthcare Commission (Amendment) Act 2024 (VI of 2024).