LRH appoints internal candidate as director

In a surprising development at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Peshawar, the province's largest tertiary care facility, none of the 130 applicants for the position of Hospital Director was deemed qualified following a rigorous selection process.

Hospital administration ultimately appointed its own Associate Hospital Director, Muhammad Tariq Burki, to lead the institution. The decision has sparked debate over merit, qualifications, and administrative priorities in public healthcare.

The previous Hospital Director's five-year term concluded on December 31, after which authorities opted against an extension and chose to advertise the vacancy. Applications were invited several weeks ago, attracting 130 candidates. A scrutiny committee shortlisted approximately 40 individuals for interviews based on the advertised criteria, which included a master's degree in health services management, business management, public health, public administration, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, along with at least seven years of experience in administrative roles.

Despite the interviews, sources indicate that no applicant fully met the standards required for the high-stakes position. The scrutiny committee forwarded a summary with three names to the Board of Governors (BoG) for final consideration. These included Burki, former Hospital Director Dr Khalid, and the hospital's Director of Human Resources, Jamal Yusuf. After deliberations, the BoG selected Burki.

Burki has been associated with LRH for over a decade, serving in administrative capacities including procurement, finance, and other operational areas. Supporters highlight his extensive hands-on experience in managing hospital logistics, ensuring uninterrupted medicine supply, and maintaining emergency services without disruption, skills deemed critical for a frontline tertiary care center.

However, questions have arisen regarding his formal qualifications. Sources suggest that Burki's academic credentials do not precisely align with the advertised requirements for the director's post. His earlier appointment as Associate Hospital Director was also reportedly contentious at the time.

Hospital administration defended the choice, emphasizing practical expertise over paper qualifications. Officials argued that the role demands someone intimately familiar with tertiary hospital operations, capable of seamless service delivery in emergencies and supply chains. "We need a person who understands the hospital's ground realities and can ensure efficiency without interruptions," a statement from the administration noted. "Having ten degrees is meaningless if the individual is not a good fit for the hospital's needs."

The BoG, exercising its legal authority under relevant laws, reviewed Burki's full profile and experience in procurement and finance before approving his appointment. The decision prioritizes operational continuity in a hospital that handles a massive patient load in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.