PUNJAB HEALTHCARE COMMISSION ACT 2010

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THE PUNJAB HEALTHCARE COMMISSION ACT 2010 
(XVI of 2010) 
CONTENTS 
CHAPTER I 
INTRODUCTORY 
1. Short title, extent, commencement and application 
2. Definitions 
CHAPTER II 
HEALTHCARE COMMISSION AND GOVERNANCE 
3. Establishment of the Commission 
4. Functions and powers of the Commission 
5. Constitution of the Board 
6. Term of the Commissioners 
7. Disqualifications 
8. Chairperson 
9. Functions and powers of the Board 
10. Technical Advisory Committee 
11. Chief executive officer 
12. Disqualifications of chief executive officer 
CHAPTER III 
REGISTRATION AND LICENSING 
13. Registration 
14. Licensing 
15. Application for licenses 
16. Licensing procedure 
17. Kinds of licenses 
18. Revocation and suspension of licenses 
19. Medical negligence 
CHAPTER IV 
STANDARDS OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES 
20. Standard of healthcare services 
21. Accreditation 
CHAPTER V 
INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 
22. Inspection 
23. Procedure of investigation 
24. Directions as to apparatus, appliance, equipment or products 
25. Obstructing inspection team 
26. Violations by bodies corporate 
27. Protection from liability 
28. Jurisdiction of Commission for adjudication of fine 
29. Immunity 
30. Bar of jurisdiction 
31. Appeal 
CHAPTER VI 
FUND, BUDGET AND ACCOUNTS 
32. The Fund 
33. Annual budget 
34. Annual report and accounts 
35. Investments 
CHAPTER VII 
MISCELLANEOUS 
36. Executive authorities to assist the Commission 
37. Recovery of fines and other dues as arrears of land revenue 
38. Failure to comply with the decision of the Commission 
39. Removal of difficulties 
40. Regulations 
41. Rules 
 
TEXT 
1
THE PUNJAB HEALTHCARE COMMISSION ACT 2010 
(XVI of 2010) 
[2nd 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 manifestati ons 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; 
                                                           
1This Act was passed by the Punjab Assembly on 2 3 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. 
(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 centr e, 
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 Gov ernment, 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 includin g 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 o r 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 un der 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 resul t 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 w ithout 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 noti fied 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 pe rpetual 
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 p owers 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; 
(c) monitor and regulate the quality and standards;  
(d) operate accreditation programmers 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 entit y, 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 premi ses 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 an y 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– 
(c) on a reference by the Government  or the Provincial Assembly of the 
Punjab; or 
(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; 
(c) receiving evidence on affidavits; and 
(d) issuing commission for the examination of witnesses. 
 (11) The Commission shall not investigate or inquire into any matter 
subjudice before a Co urt 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 overal l 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 Hig h 
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; 
(c) a representative of the Pakistan Medical Association; Member 
(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 Commiss ioners.– (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; 
(c) is found to be of unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction; 
(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 Commis sioners 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 major ity 
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 ex piry 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; 
                                                           
2Inserted by the Punjab Healthcare Commission  (Amendment) Act 202 4 (VI of 202 4), published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated: 14 June 2024, p. 4761, s. 2(a). 
3Inserted by the Punjab Healthcare Commission  (Amendment) Act 202 4 (VI of 202 4), published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated: 14 June 2024, p. 4761, s. 2(b). 
(b) provide leadership and oversight of activities of the Commission; 
(c) ensure the effective and efficient use of resources, solvency and 
safeguarding of the assets 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 appointme nt, 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 commi ttees 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 Surgeo ns 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; 
(c) one member of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab to be nominated 
by the Speaker of the Assembly; 
(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; 
(c) governance process of the Commission; 
(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 exerci se 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; 
(c) prepare and present the Board with strategic and operational plans for 
its review and appraisal; 
(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 attentio n 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 cons tituted 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 imp ose 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 t he 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  
 (c) may be renewed upon expiry. 
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 healthcar e 
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 heal thcare 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 pre pared 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 appropria te 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 framewo rk 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 a ccreditation 
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 th e 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 i nformation 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 da ngerous 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 Commis sion 
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;  
(c) order of closing down of a healthcare establishment or making 
improvements in the healthcare establishment;  
(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 gratuities4[;]  
(b) meeting the co sts 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 f unctions 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 effe ct 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 exce pt 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. 
                                                           
4Misprinted in the Gazette. 
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 recoverabl e 
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 ord er 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 p atients treated in a healthcare establishment are 
provided; 
(c) the records of the staff of a healthcare establishment; 
(d) the requirements as to the number and qualifications of nursing and 
other staff in a healthcare establishment; 
(e) the apparatus, ap pliances, 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.