The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Health Department has decided to recruit medical officers and specialist doctors on a contract basis to address the shortage of healthcare professionals across the province and to ensure the effective functioning of District Headquarters Hospitals (DHQs).
In the initial phase, 115 medical officers are being recruited for various hospitals. Additionally, 51 specialist consultants will be hired on contract to make different specialties operational in the DHQs.
The Health Advisor has officially approved the recruitment initiative. He stated that this move will not only provide employment opportunities for doctors but also improve access to medical treatment for the public at hospitals in their respective areas.
A key feature of this recruitment drive is the priority given to local medical staff, who will be appointed specifically for hospitals in their own areas. These doctors will not be transferred to any other hospital.
Earlier in January, the K-P government had also decided to fill 248 long-vacant management cadre posts in the Health Department.
Furthermore, the recruitment process for 600 specialist doctors through the Public Service Commission (PSC) is being expedited. The Provincial Doctors Association has welcomed the government's decision, noting that these posts had been vacant for several years without any action.
Responding to the association's request, the Health Advisor has approved an age relaxation beyond the previously advertised limit of 32 years. A five-year age relaxation will now be granted, and the relevant rules will be amended accordingly. This means that doctors older than 32 years can also apply for the positions.
The Health Advisor has directed the Deputy Secretary Health and the concerned Section Officer to immediately forward the 600 specialist doctor positions to the Public Service Commission to expedite the recruitment process.
Additionally, it has been decided to collect data on all specialist doctors across the province to facilitate their transfer into the specialist cadre where needed.
Health Advisor Ehtesham Khan Advocate has also resolved the long-standing issue related to the seniority list of Grade 17 general cadre doctors. He has issued instructions to prepare working papers for the promotion of doctors in all cadres and to submit them to the Public Service Commission.
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