How to Find a Qualified Child Specialist in Malir and Shah Faisal Colony
Every parent wants the best doctor for their child. In many neighbourhoods of Karachi, however, clinics are run by people who are not registered doctors. Children treated there often receive unnecessary injections, drips, steroids and antibiotics. This guide explains how to check that your child is seeing a qualified doctor.
What qualifications should a child specialist have?
- MBBS: the basic medical degree. Every doctor must have it.
- FCPS (Paediatrics), MCPS (Paediatrics), DCH or an equivalent foreign qualification: specialist training in children’s medicine.
- Registration with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC): the legal licence to practise.
A “child specialist” sign on a clinic is not proof. The doctor’s name, degrees and PMDC number should be clearly displayed.
How to check PMDC registration in two minutes
- Go to the PMDC website, pmdc.pk.
- Open the Doctor Search (registered practitioners) section.
- Enter the doctor’s name or PMDC registration number.
- Check that the name, qualification and licence status match what the clinic claims.
A qualified doctor will happily tell you their registration number.
Warning signs of an unsafe clinic
- An injection or drip is given for almost every illness
- Medicines are handed over in unlabelled packets, powders or mixed syrups
- Antibiotics for every cold, cough or fever
- Repeated “quick relief” injections for asthma or allergy (often steroids)
- No examination, or a diagnosis without checking the child
- The person cannot tell you their qualification or PMDC number
Steroid and antibiotic overuse in childhood can cause weak bones, poor growth, high blood sugar and drug-resistant infections such as XDR typhoid, which is now common in Sindh.
What a good child specialist visit looks like
- The doctor asks about the illness, feeding, growth and vaccines
- The child is examined: chest, ears, throat, tummy, skin
- Medicines are written on a prescription, with dose and duration
- You are told what to watch for and when to come back
- Weight is measured and medicines are dosed by weight
Aksar poochay janay walay sawal (FAQs)
Malir mein acha bachon ka doctor kaise dhoondein?
Check the doctor’s qualification and PMDC registration, ask other parents, and read Google reviews. A good child specialist examines your child and explains the treatment.
Kya har bimari mein injection behtar hai?
No. Most childhood illnesses are treated with syrups or tablets, or need no medicine at all. Injections should be given only when there is a clear reason.
Child specialist aur GP mein kya farq hai?
A GP treats all ages. A child specialist has years of extra training in children’s illnesses, growth and development.
Dr Samina Habib, FCPS (Paediatrics)
Dr Samina Habib is a PMDC-registered child specialist with FCPS in Paediatrics. She sees children at The Asthetik, Shah Faisal Colony branch, Office 1/A-59, Ground Floor, Umar Farooq Road, near DVAGO, Block 1, Shah Faisal Colony, Karachi. Families visit from Malir, Malir Cantt, Malir Halt, Model Colony, Saudabad and Landhi.
Call 021-34570339 or book an appointment. Learn about our children’s healthcare services.