CM orders removal of inefficient DHOs

Meeting reviews action taken on reports of Independent Monitoring Unit of Health Department

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, has ordered the removal of district health officers (DHOs) in certain districts due to their poor performance. He has directed that professional and competent DHOs be appointed strictly on a merit basis, emphasizing that there can be no compromise on the provision of healthcare services to the public.

These directives were issued while he presided over a meeting of the Independent Monitoring Unit (IMU) of the Health Department on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister on Health, Ehtesham Ali; Secretary Health, Shahidullah; Director General of Health Services, Dr. Muhammad Saleem; Director of the Independent Monitoring Unit, and other relevant officials.

Participants were briefed on the objectives, responsibilities, performance, challenges, and future roadmap of the IMU. Additionally, the actions taken by the Health Department based on IMU reports were reviewed during the meeting.

The Chief Minister ordered the health authorities to take immediate action based on the IMU reports and instructed the department to submit details of the actions taken. He further directed the strengthening of monitoring systems in healthcare facilities and emphasized obtaining public feedback regarding service delivery and facilities provided in health centers across the province.

He stressed that doctors and other staff who demonstrate good performance should be encouraged and appreciated. Furthermore, he instructed that all medical machinery and equipment in hospitals be fully operational and that emergency medicines be available in public hospitals across the province.

Gandapur also called for strict action against habitually absent doctors and medical staff, emphasizing that their attendance at health centers must be ensured at all costs, with no leniency in this regard.

During the briefing, it was revealed that the IMU conducts an average of 3,972 monitoring visits to healthcare facilities monthly, including 3,428 visits to Primary Health Centers and 544 visits to Secondary Health Centers. In 2024, a total of 36,244 monitoring visits were conducted at primary and secondary health centers, including 6,094 visits in merged districts.

Monthly reports of these visits are prepared and sent to relevant stakeholders for decision-making. These reports cover aspects such as the cleanliness of health centers, availability of doctors and paramedical staff, functionality of medical equipment, availability of medicines, and public satisfaction. The authorities further informed that the IMU also monitors Welfare Centers of the Population Welfare Department, with approximately 9,000 visits conducted to these centers last year.

It may be recalled that in January, Health Advisor Ehtesham Ali had warned underperforming DHOs to improve their performance or face consequences. He stated that DHOs who delay releasing funds to public-private partnership hospitals would be held accountable and removed from their positions if necessary.

The advisor also announced a strict ban on cross-cadre postings to ensure that relevant positions are filled by professionals from the appropriate cadre. Acknowledging exemplary performance, he awarded appreciation certificates to the DHOs of Malakand, Kohat, and Khyber for their outstanding contributions.