The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has decided to address longstanding issues in the Health Department by filling 248 long-vacant management cadre posts. Additionally, the recruitment process for 600 specialist doctors through the Public Service Commission will be expedited to address the acute shortage of healthcare professionals in the province.
The Provincial Doctors Association welcomed the government’s decision, noting that these positions had been vacant for years without action from the Health Department.
Age Relaxation for Applicants
Responding to the association’s request, Health Advisor Ehtesham Khan Advocate assured that the age limit mentioned in the advertisement, set at 32 years, will be relaxed by five years. This amendment will allow doctors above the age of 32 to apply for these posts.
Steps to Expedite Recruitment
To accelerate the hiring process for specialist doctors:
- Orders have been issued to the Deputy Secretary of Health and relevant Section Officers to forward these vacancies to the Public Service Commission immediately.
- The Health Advisor has directed the collection of data on specialist doctors across the province, which will be used to facilitate their transfer to the specialist cadre.
Resolving Administrative Issues
Health Advisor Ehtesham Khan also addressed the long-standing issue of seniority lists for Grade 17 general cadre doctors. He ordered the preparation of working papers for the promotion of doctors across all cadres and their submission to the Public Service Commission.
Doctors’ Challenges and Healthcare Crisis in K-P
The healthcare system in K-P has been under strain due to a severe financial crisis, as reported by The Express Tribune in December 2023. This crisis has led to:
- Senior doctors, including those with international qualifications, resigned in large numbers to seek better opportunities abroad.
- A shortage of essential medicines and the suspension of health cards, further exacerbate the situation.
- Critical departments, such as the ICU and pediatric surgery at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), struggling due to the resignation of department heads, negatively impacting patient care.
Provincial Doctors Association’s Response
The association has praised the government’s practical steps to resolve longstanding issues, emphasizing the importance of filling vacancies and addressing the challenges faced by doctors to improve healthcare delivery in the province.
