PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Friday directed authorities to expedite the establishment of hospitals mentioned in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) and ensure the timely release of funds for ongoing health sector projects on a priority basis.
He directed the health department to submit comprehensive details of the scope of work and estimated costs for the revamping of district headquarters (DHQ) hospitals within one week.
Chairing a meeting on priority projects of the health department here, Mr Afridi said that resource constraints would not be allowed to impede the provision of quality and timely healthcare services to the public.
The meeting examined progress on ongoing initiatives and plans for the establishment of healthcare facilities across the province.
The chief minister said that providing accessible and improved healthcare services on people’s doorsteps was a fundamental responsibility of the government.
He underscored the importance of upgrading public sector hospitals and basic health units, alongside advancing healthcare reforms and expanding access to modern medical facilities.
“Ensuring quality healthcare for people in remote and underserved areas remains a key government priority,” he said.
Mr Afridi said that adequate funding for ongoing health sector projects should be ensured in a timely manner and financial constraints must not delay project implementation.
He said practical measures were underway to address shortages of doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel to improve service delivery across public hospitals.
The chief minister stated that he was personally monitoring funds utilisation, construction quality, clinical standards and implementation timelines across health sector projects. He said that negligence in project execution would not be tolerated.
“Investment in the health sector is an investment in the brighter future of the people of the province,” he said.
The chief minister said the government was committed to developing a healthcare system in which citizens would not have to travel long distances to access essential medical treatment and could receive quality services within their own communities.
He said that access to quality healthcare was a fundamental right of every citizen and that the government would take all necessary measures to ensure its delivery.
The meeting was briefed that the revamping of 32 DHQ hospitals across the province was under way under a Rs33 billion project for the revamping of DHQ hospitals aimed at upgrading infrastructure and strengthening service delivery capacity.
The project encompasses infrastructure rehabilitation, the upgrading of medical equipment, the outsourcing of selected services, supplementation of clinical services and other measures to improve hospital functionality and the quality of patient care.
The meeting was informed that medical equipment worth Rs2.5 billion had already been provided to 32 DHQ hospitals, designs for 29 hospitals had been approved, and the relevant contractors had been mobilised to commence implementation.
The chief minister directed the health department to submit comprehensive, hospital-wise details of the scope of work, estimated costs and implementation milestones within one week.
He said the information would facilitate a detailed assessment of project progress and support timely decisions on implementation priorities.
The meeting was also briefed on progress towards establishing major healthcare facilities at key locations across the province. A summary for the acquisition of land required for a 1,000-bed medical complex in Kohat had been put forward.
In Malakand, land for a 1,000-bed hospital has been identified and the land acquisition process is under way.
For the proposed general hospital at Benazir Ground in Peshawar, the PC-II document has been prepared and submitted to the planning department for approval.
Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2026
