A long road to change: BoGs at medical teaching hospitals continue to flounder

Boards face resistance from staff members, administration.

PESHAWAR:

The provincial government has decided to give its medical teaching institutions sufficient autonomy to manage their own affairs. This is likely to improve patient care, hospital management and enhance the quality of medical education.

Earlier in January, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Medical Teaching Institutions Reforms Act, 2015 was introduced to ensure hospitals are managed efficiently. Although the law was heavily criticised by doctors unions, it has been put into effect – albeit with mixed results.

Solutions and challenges

According to the new legislation; a board of governors has been appointed for each teaching hospital in the city which comprises 10 members – three from government departments and seven from the private sector. The board is responsible for managing the affairs of the hospital and providing effective solutions to some pressing challenges.



So far, BoG at Hayatabad Medical Complex has only met thrice. On the other hand, 10-member body at all other teaching hospitals have met twice.

Silver lining

A large number of BoG members from teaching hospitals in the city told The Express Tribune the board has been facing substantial resistance from staff members and the administration. However, the silver lining is that the provincial government has successfully eliminated unnecessary political interference within the health sector.



“Initially, I was reluctant to join the board of governors as I thought there would be a great deal of political interference in every department,” said a BoG member. “However, I soon realised political influence had been rooted out. Therefore, I agreed to join the board.”

Pitfall to freedom

Another BoG member complained that the hospital he is responsible for managing is in a dilapidated condition.

“Fixing everything will take at least one year,” he said. “Most machines are out of order and various unions at the hospital have made it difficult to manage things efficiently. This is why little improvement can be seen in the quality of health facilities.”

He said unions should not be banned and instead be encouraged to focus on the bigger picture.

“Only then can we see tangible improvements in the health sector,” he said. “We are now independent and completely autonomous. But that does not mean we can change things overnight.”

K-P Health Services Director General Dr Parvez Kamal said the BoGs have complete authority to run their respective hospitals. “If something related to the provincial health department comes up, we will provide support and act accordingly,” Kamal added.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2015.