ANP Sounds Alarm Over KP Health Sector, Alleges Billions in Irregularities
PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party (ANP) has raised serious concerns over the condition of the healthcare sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, alleging shortages of medical facilities, inadequate equipment and financial and procurement irregularities at major public hospitals across the province.
Speaking at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, ANP provincial spokesperson Arsalan Khan Nazim claimed that no prostate surgeries had been performed at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) for the past two months. He said the situation was causing difficulties for patients who depend on the province’s major public hospitals for specialized treatment.
Khan also expressed concern over the shortage of intensive care facilities at LRH, claiming that the hospital currently has only 28 ICU beds. According to him, no significant expansion in ICU capacity has been made at major hospitals in the province since 2013, despite the growing population and increasing demand for critical care services.
The ANP spokesperson further alleged that shortages of essential medical equipment were affecting surgical procedures at LRH. He questioned whether public hospitals had adequate facilities to provide timely treatment to patients, particularly those requiring specialized and emergency care.
Khan also claimed that no major development work had been carried out at the Khyber Institute of Cardiology since 2013. He said the lack of development and expansion at major healthcare institutions was contributing to pressure on existing facilities.
Turning his attention to Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), the ANP leader alleged administrative and procurement-related irregularities in different departments. He claimed that supervisors in the Interventional Radiology Department had resigned and alleged that procurement rules and procedures were not always being followed.
According to Khan, some procurement processes were allegedly conducted without proper tendering or competitive analysis. He also questioned the availability of procurement records for periods before September 2022, calling for greater transparency in the purchasing and financial systems of public hospitals.
The ANP spokesperson further alleged that there was no effective mechanism for brand approval and inspection during the purchase of medicines. He claimed that the supply chain department was not properly involved in the procurement and distribution of medicines, potentially creating problems in the availability and management of essential drugs.
Khan alleged financial irregularities involving billions of rupees at HMC. He claimed there were Rs3.6 billion in losses under the SSP head and alleged irregular purchases worth Rs4.5 billion for which, he said, proper records were not available. He also claimed that one hospital had suffered financial losses amounting to Rs14 billion.
The ANP leader called for detailed investigations into the allegations and demanded that those found responsible for financial or administrative wrongdoing be held accountable. He said allegations of corruption and mismanagement should be investigated through the relevant institutions and departments.
Khan also raised concerns over an alleged shortage of cardiac stents at HMC, claiming that the essential medical devices had not been available for two to three weeks. He termed the situation particularly serious for cardiac patients, who may require immediate treatment in emergency cases.
The ANP demanded that the provincial government and health authorities take immediate notice of the alleged shortage and ensure uninterrupted availability of essential cardiac equipment and medicines.
Khan said the opposition had a responsibility to highlight governance failures and alleged corruption before the relevant institutions. He stressed that the ANP would continue raising concerns about healthcare services and financial management in the province.
He also said that while political figures and individuals may require medical treatment, the wider population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must also be guaranteed access to adequate and timely healthcare facilities.
The allegations made by the ANP could not be independently verified. Relevant hospital administrations and provincial health authorities were not immediately available for comment.
