K-P to outsource 24 ailing hospitals

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to outsource hospitals across the province that have been found underperforming.

In the first phase, 24 hospitals in various districts, mainly Category B, C, and D facilities, will be outsourced to private sector organizations. According to Provincial Health Adviser Ehtesham Ali, the administrative control of these hospitals will be handed over to private firms, while the medical staff will continue to serve under government employment.

He clarified that the government is not privatizing these hospitals but rather outsourcing their management to ensure efficient services. "The objective is to provide citizens with quality and free healthcare at government rates," he said.

Private operators will be responsible for addressing shortages of medical staff, equipment, and supplies. The initiative aims to ensure timely OPD services, improved cleanliness, staff attendance, and proper functioning of medical equipment.

Ali further said that the Independent Monitoring Unit (IMU) of the health department will closely monitor the outsourced hospitals. Performance lapses will result in financial deductions from the contracted companies, while a strong grievance redressal system will also be in place for the public.

Sources revealed that the provincial government plans to outsource a total of 58 hospitals in two phases. Applications have already been invited from various organizations, which will be thoroughly vetted before handing over management responsibilities.

The decision follows months of performance evaluation of these facilities by the IMU, which highlighted persistent administrative inefficiencies.

On the other hand, the provincial Health Department faces serious allegations of mismanagement as reports emerge that the former Regional Director, Hazara, continued to withdraw public funds for two months despite being transferred from his post.

According to an official letter sent by the current Regional Director General Health Services Hazara, Dr Ali Khan Jadoon, to the Secretary of Health, the ex-regional director not only drew large sums from the government exchequer without authorization but also issued transfer and posting orders of employees, despite having no additional charge or official powers.

The letter states that the former director was transferred on April 30 to serve as Medical Superintendent at DHQ Hospital Abbottabad.