A coordination meeting in Islamabad brought together Dr. Muhammad Zaeem Zia, Chief Executive Officer of the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority, and chief executives and representatives from multiple diagnostic laboratories to strengthen collaboration and improve healthcare service delivery. The session opened with introductions and moved quickly into operational priorities that affect patients and providers across the capital.
Dr. Zia delivered a detailed briefing on the planned IHRA digitization of registration and licensing processes, urging laboratories to adopt the digital system to ensure transparency, efficiency and greater ease for the public. He stressed that IHRA digitization is central to guaranteeing quality assurance and streamlining interactions between regulatory teams and lab operators.
The CEO also outlined a structured inspection mechanism designed to raise compliance. Inspection teams will be equipped with body-worn cameras to enhance transparency, and Dr. Zia shared that in the past 21 days IHRA teams have visited approximately 900 healthcare establishments, sealed more than 100 quackery outlets and held hearings in 135 enforcement and complaint cases. He added that a pool of trained assessors has been finalized and will soon be deployed to strengthen field inspections.
Participants were informed that the Minimum Service Delivery Standards for laboratories have been approved and are about to be notified; strict adherence to these standards will be expected. Dr. Zia also emphasised the need to offer reasonable relief in laboratory test pricing for the public while maintaining the required standards of quality and patient safety.
During an open forum, laboratory representatives outlined operational challenges and welcomed the chance to present concerns directly to the regulator. Several issues were addressed and resolved on the spot through constructive dialogue, a move that representatives described as helpful. Attendees acknowledged IHRA as a professional and competitive regulatory body, noting the value of an accessible appellate mechanism and a dedicated platform for labs to engage with the authority.
Dr. Zia closed by reiterating IHRA’s commitment to facilitation alongside regulation and urged laboratories to cooperate in implementing the Authority’s mandate. The meeting reinforced IHRA digitization and enforcement plans as key steps toward safer, higher-quality and more affordable diagnostic services for citizens of Islamabad.
