Punjab Healthcare Commission prepares hospital grading manual, seeks expert input before rollout

The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has prepared a hospital grading manual and invited suggestions from health experts ahead of its pilot implementation.

The decision was made during a meeting chaired by PHC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Saqib Aziz, where participants agreed to implement the grading framework on a pilot basis before its formal launch across the province.

Senior management representatives from leading public and private hospitals attended the meeting, while the Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Medical University joined online. Heads of hospitals from Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Multan also participated virtually.

Addressing the meeting, Dr. Saqib Aziz said the hospital grading framework had been developed after studying international best practices while taking local healthcare realities into account. He said the initiative would help patients make informed decisions when selecting hospitals for treatment by providing them with reliable information about healthcare facilities.

He added that the grading system would contribute to improving the quality of healthcare services and play a significant role in promoting medical tourism in Punjab.

During the meeting, PHC Director Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed gave a detailed briefing on the grading manual, explaining its key features, assessment criteria and implementation strategy.

The commission also sought recommendations from healthcare experts to refine the framework before the pilot phase begins, aiming to ensure that the grading system is practical, transparent and aligned with the needs of both patients and healthcare providers.