PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has expressed concern over alleged irregularities in appointments and eligibility of members of boards of governors, financial model and regulations at medical teaching institutions (MTIs) in the province.
“During a detailed meeting held recently Health Secretary Shahidullah Khan conveyed government’s grievances to Prof Nausherwan Burki, the chairman of policy board for medical teaching institutions,” sources in MTIs and health department told Dawn.
Of late, MTIs have come under scathing criticism from stakeholders, especially Young Doctors Association, who have levelled serious allegations about irregularities in appointments in Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC). Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi also responded to the allegations, saying that his government was open to hold probe into allegations and bring to justice the responsible elements.
“However, the government has no check over MTI-covered hospitals due to which the health secretary conveyed its reservations to Prof Burki,” sources said.
Policy Board head says allegations levelled in anonymous emails
They said that the government had lost control over teaching hospitals and their affiliated medical and dental colleges covered under Medical Teaching Institutions Reforms Act passed by the provincial assembly in 2015.
Health department, which has been managing the administrative and financial affairs of 2,600 health facilities along with over 80,000 employees, has now no role in MTIs, which are run by boards of governors. The members of these boards are selected by search and nomination council from private sector.
“In case of MTIs, the government is helpless as all decisions are taken by BoGs. Most of the members of BoGs are retired people. Using government’s funds, BoGs at 11 MTIs, take all decisions, regarding spending of funds, recruitments on top positions, abolition and resignation of posts as per their own needs,” sources said.
They said that the government had to face criticism for matters relating to patient care as well as irregularities in appointments in MTIs.
In December last year, Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi visited MTI Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) where he expressed concern over what he called “poor performance and lack of patient care” and ordered immediate removal of its hospital director (HD).
Sources said that the very next day, health department wrote to BoG of LRH to implement the directives of chief minister. Instead of removing the HD, he was not only allowed to complete his term but was re-appointed on the same post at MTI-Mardan Medical Complex on April 30 for five years, they added.
“It caused embarrassment to the government as its directives were fallen on deaf ears, first about his (HD) removal and then his re-hiring at an institution run on government’s budget,” sources said.
They said that the criteria and eligibility for selection of BoG members also came under discussion during the meeting as they exercised unbridled powers without the involvement of health department.
Sources said that recruitment process, financial model, regulations and overall affairs of MTIs were discussed in detail during the meeting. They said that the government was also concerned about the allocation of massive funds to MTIs. MTIs also generated funds from institution-based practice (IBP) and treatment of patients on Sehat Card Plus but still there was no financial sustainability and government increased their funds now and then, they added.
They said that health department also conveyed government’s reservations to Prof Burki regarding lack of accountability of BoG members as they were private people having vast powers. Unlike other departments, government doesn’t conduct audit of MTIs. Few attempts by the department to hold MTIs auditable, have been thwarted. Prof Nausherwan Burki, when contacted, said that the department hadn’t lodged any complaint against MTIs.
“The department has not complained but allegations have been made in anonymous emails. I have requested for proof of the allegations, but haven’t received any yet. Health department has said nothing as all the emails were direct,” he said.
Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026