KP to Recruit Medical Officers on Fixed Salary
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has moved to tackle the doctor shortage in its hospitals by hiring medical officers on fixed salaries. The new recruitment drive will cover four districts—Mardan, Upper Dir, Batkhela, and Haripur—where health services have been strained due to a lack of professionals.
To maintain transparency, the Health Department has formed a grievance redressal committee at the district level. Chaired by the Special Secretary of Health, the committee includes senior officials from the Health Department, such as the Additional Secretary Health, Director HRM, and Section Officer E-2. The panel will review complaints related to the recruitment process, but only if they are submitted with evidence by August 10.
The Health Department has emphasized that the recruitment process will remain fair and accountable, aimed at restoring confidence among job-seeking doctors.
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The province has long struggled with a shortage of healthcare staff. In an earlier move this year, the department began hiring medical officers and consultants on a contract basis to support District Headquarters Hospitals (DHQs).
In this initial phase, 115 medical officers and 51 contract-based consultants are being appointed to strengthen key departments in DHQs. A major focus of the policy is to recruit locals and assign them to specific hospitals, preventing unnecessary transfers and ensuring continuity of care.
The Health Advisor, who approved the recruitment, has said that this strategy would help provide local treatment options and reduce patient burden on larger urban centres.
In addition to these efforts, the provincial government has decided to fill 248 long-vacant administrative posts and is fast-tracking the recruitment of 600 specialist doctors through the Public Service Commission.
The Provincial Doctors Association has supported the steps, particularly after its request led to a five-year age relaxation, increasing the upper limit from 32 to 37 years for applicants.
