Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa DHQ contract doctors unpaid for five months: report

Medical officers, dental surgeons and specialist doctors working on fixed-salary contracts at District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospitals in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have not received their salaries for the past five months, The Express Tribune reported, citing officials and representatives of the Provincial Doctors Association.

As per the news reports, under the fixed-pay structure, salaries were set between Rs170,000 and Rs400,000 per month depending on grade and specialty, with dedicated hospital budgets allocated for these payments.

The doctors were recruited to address staff shortages in remote and underserved districts. Last year, the Health Department advertised 115 Grade-17 Medical Officer posts, filling vacancies at DHQ Lakki Marwat, Karak, Landi Kotal, Upper Dir, Charsadda and Battagram.

In addition, 21 positions in pathology, radiology and anesthesiology were filled under a non-permanent consultant scheme for non-attractive specialties at DHQs including Mardan, Battagram, Haripur and Upper Dir. A further 30 Grade-18 specialist posts were created on fixed pay in disciplines such as pediatric surgery, neurology, pulmonology, cardiology, ophthalmology, general medicine, ENT, gynecology, dermatology and nephrology at DHQs in Upper Dir, Haripur, Mardan, Charsadda, Battagram and Landi Kotal.

However, the doctors have reportedly not been paid since late last year. The Provincial Doctors Association has formally approached the Health Department, seeking immediate release of pending salaries.

The association stated that the doctors were appointed on merit through examinations and interviews and warned that continued delays could affect morale within the healthcare system. It added that while the doctors have continued providing emergency, ICU and surgical services, prolonged non-payment risks undermining trust and stability in public health institutions.