The Lahore High Court has issued a significant public-interest ruling, dismissing the argument put forward by the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust and granting the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) the final authority to set prices for services provided by private diagnostic laboratories and healthcare institutions in Punjab.
Justice Raheel Kamran delivered the verdict, stating that healthcare services are directly linked to the fundamental constitutional right to life. Consequently, healthcare services “cannot be treated as commercial commodities.”
Court Directives and Limitations:
The court explicitly ruled that private diagnostic laboratories and healthcare providers in Punjab cannot charge a profit exceeding 20 percent of their operating costs.
- Final Approval Authority: While institutions can initially determine the fee for their services, the final approval authority rests with the Punjab Healthcare Commission, an authority already granted under the 2010 Act.
- Price Assessment: The court mandated that any proposed pricing must be determined by a Certified Chartered or Cost Accountancy Firm.
The court emphasized the role of the state, stating that denying quality medical aid negates the basic characteristic of a civilized society. The state reserves the right to monitor services provided by private healthcare institutions to ensure that no organization engages in undue profiteering or exploitation of the public.
Would you like to know more about the specific 2010 Act that grants this authority to the Punjab Healthcare Commission?
