The Provincial Minister for Health, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mr. Khaliq-ur-Rehman, chaired a high-level meeting of all Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) Hospital Directors (HDs) at the Health Department today. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary Health, Mr. Shahid Ullah Khan, along with senior officials of the Health Department.
During the meeting, the Health Minister was given a comprehensive briefing through detailed presentations on the overall performance and operational status of each MTI across the province. The briefing covered key areas including human resource strength, availability of medical equipment and essential medicines, total bed capacity with special focus on Intensive Care Units (ICUs), as well as administrative and management-related challenges.
The Minister was informed about the increasing influx of patients at tertiary care hospitals. Acknowledging this challenge, Mr. Khaliq-ur-Rehman emphasized the urgent need to strengthen primary and secondary healthcare facilities in order to minimize unnecessary referrals to tertiary care hospitals and to ensure optimal utilization of healthcare resources.
Addressing the participants, the Health Minister reiterated that, in view of the prevailing financial and service delivery challenges, MTIs must gradually move towards a sustainable financial and operational model. He stated that this approach would help share the economic burden with the provincial government while ensuring continuity and quality of healthcare services.
The Minister directed the Hospital Directors to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential medicines and strictly maintain quality standards. He stressed that only medicines approved under the MCC-approved list must be procured and dispensed at MTIs.
The meeting was also briefed on the performance of MTIs under the Sehat Sahulat Programme, under which millions of patients are receiving free and quality healthcare services. The Health Minister appreciated the efforts of MTIs and stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues to lead among all provinces in the effective implementation of universal health coverage initiatives.
Mr. Khaliq-ur-Rehman assured the Hospital Directors of full support and cooperation from the Health Department. He further informed that the provincial government has devised a comprehensive plan to increase the number of ICU beds across the province in line with current healthcare needs.
The Health Minister emphasized the need for strong coordination among all MTIs and informed the meeting that a centralized mechanism is being developed to introduce uniform policies, standard operating procedures, and improved governance across MTIs.
To further strengthen transparency and accountability, the Minister informed that a third-party audit of all MTIs is currently under way, aimed at improving institutional performance, financial discipline, and public confidence in the healthcare system.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare institutions and improving service delivery across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.