KP DHQ Doctors Unpaid for Five Months

Medical officers, dental surgeons, and specialist consultants appointed on fixed-remuneration contracts at District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospitals across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have reportedly remained unpaid for the past five months, according to coverage by The Express Tribune, citing officials and representatives of the Provincial Doctors Association.

Under the structured fixed-pay framework, monthly compensation packages ranged between Rs170,000 and Rs400,000, depending on professional grade and medical specialty. Dedicated budgetary allocations were reportedly earmarked within hospital financial plans to meet these contractual liabilities.

The recruitment initiative was introduced to mitigate acute staffing shortages in remote and underserved districts. During the previous year, the provincial Health Department advertised 115 Grade-17 Medical Officer positions to strengthen service delivery at DHQ hospitals in Lakki Marwat, Karak, Landi Kotal, Upper Dir, Charsadda, and Battagram.

Additionally, 21 consultant roles in pathology, radiology, and anesthesiology were filled under a non-permanent engagement model targeting non-attractive specialties at DHQs in Mardan, Battagram, Haripur, and Upper Dir. A further 30 Grade-18 specialist positions were established on fixed remuneration in high-demand disciplines including pediatric surgery, neurology, pulmonology, cardiology, ophthalmology, general medicine, ENT, gynecology, dermatology, and nephrology across multiple DHQs.

Despite formal appointments and continued service delivery, the doctors have reportedly not received salary payments since late last year. The Provincial Doctors Association has formally petitioned the Health Department, demanding immediate disbursement of outstanding dues.

The Association emphasised that the appointments were merit-based, conducted through examinations and interviews, and cautioned that persistent payment delays could adversely impact institutional morale and workforce stability. While affected doctors have continued providing emergency, intensive care, and surgical services, prolonged non-compliance with contractual payment obligations may undermine operational continuity and public sector healthcare confidence.