Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s health directorate has outlined a plan to improve public healthcare in 12 designated districts, with a focus on free medicines, diagnostic services, maternal healthcare and stricter monitoring of outsourced hospitals.
The initiative covers eight merged tribal districts and four other districts, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Tank. Dr Fazal Rahman, director of the vector diseases and malaria control programme, has been nominated to oversee health affairs in these areas, although formal appointment notifications have yet to be issued, according to Dawn.
The proposed measures include short-term improvements over three and six months, alongside a longer-term plan spanning six years. The directorate says the immediate priority is to make existing facilities more functional and ensure that patients can access essential services closer to home.
KP to Strengthen Monitoring of Outsourced Hospitals
Under the public-private partnership programme, 15 of the 19 health facilities already outsourced in the merged districts will continue operating based on their reported performance.
The Health Foundation is also working to outsource another 28 hospitals, which would bring the total covered by these arrangements in the designated districts to 43.
The foundation facilitates the management of government-owned health facilities by eligible private organisations. The stated aim is to improve patient care at facilities where services have not consistently met required standards.
The expanded arrangements will require effective monitoring to ensure that contracted organisations deliver the services expected of them. In particular, residents must continue to receive the free diagnostic and medical services promised under the programme.
The latest plan follows a wider provincial effort to transfer the management of underperforming public hospitals to private organisations. Dawn reported earlier this month that the province had outsourced 36 hospitals, with further facilities in the pipeline.
Free Medicines and Emergency Care Among Priorities
Dr Fazal said the immediate focus would be on outpatient departments, accident and emergency services, hospital wards and diagnostic facilities.
The plan also prioritises free medicines and improvements in maternal and child healthcare, including gynaecological services.
The directorate aims to make these services more accessible in districts where patients often face difficulties obtaining treatment locally. Better diagnostic facilities and access to specialised care could reduce the need for residents to travel to larger cities for medical assistance.
However, the proposals still depend on funding, implementation and the availability of staff and supplies. The announcement does not establish that all planned services are already operational or that every facility currently has adequate medicines and diagnostic equipment.
Solar Power Proposed to Address Hospital Electricity Problems
Unreliable electricity remains a major obstacle to healthcare delivery in the merged districts, according to Dr Fazal.
The directorate has proposed solarising hospitals to help maintain essential services, including operating theatres and laboratories.
Reliable electricity is particularly important for diagnostic equipment, surgical procedures and other services that cannot function safely without a consistent power supply.
The plan also includes efforts to improve infrastructure and provide specialised services through existing facilities. Dr Fazal said funding had been promised for medical supplies and other improvements, although the amount and disbursement schedule were not specified in the report.
The success of the solarisation initiative will depend on its implementation, maintenance arrangements and the ability of hospitals to keep equipment operational.
Three-Month, Six-Month and Six-Year Improvement Plans
The health directorate has submitted proposals covering three-month and six-month periods for immediate improvements, as well as a six-year framework for longer-term development.
Local communities are also expected to participate in efforts to improve hospital services and patient care.
The immediate challenge will be to translate the proposals into measurable improvements, including the availability of medicines, functioning diagnostic equipment, reliable emergency services and access to maternal healthcare.
For residents of the 12 districts, the key test will be whether the plans lead to more dependable treatment in local hospitals and reduce the need to seek basic or specialised care elsewhere.
Formal appointment notifications, funding details and implementation milestones will be important indicators of progress as the initiative moves forward.
