PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has decided to make a major change in the management structure of Nishtarabad General Hospital after the end of a World Bank-funded project and has planned to outsource the hospital in a phased manner.
According to sources, in the initial phase, the management of the hospital has been handed over to a non-governmental organization (NGO) temporarily to maintain continuity of medical services. Later, after receiving formal approval from the provincial cabinet, the hospital will be run under private management by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Foundation.
Sources said that plans are being made to adjust the permanent government employees posted in the hospital to various major teaching hospitals and other government health centres in Peshawar so that their jobs are not affected. However, uncertainty still persists regarding the future of contract and daily wage employees, while fears are being expressed that many of these employees may lose their jobs after the outsourcing process.
Nishtarabad General Hospital was established with the aim of increasing health facilities and providing immediate medical assistance to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This project was being run with the financial support of the World Bank, which ended on June 30 after completing its scheduled period.
According to sources, after the termination of the project, the health department has decided to run the administrative affairs of the hospital under a new model, for which the outsourcing method is being adopted. Work is also underway on administrative and legal measures for this purpose.
On the other hand, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has not yet issued any official announcement regarding the complete outsourcing procedure, selection of NGOs, role of the Health Foundation, and the future of the employees. Employees’ organizations are also expressing concern about this issue and are demanding that the government announce a clear policy regarding the employment security of the employees and their future.
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