KP Declares Nursing Emergency 2025 – CM Orders Immediate Recruitment for multiple Positions
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi has officially declared a “nursing emergency” in the province and directed authorities to launch immediate recruitment to fill hundreds of vacant positions across major government hospitals.
Chairing a high-level meeting of the KP Health Department, the chief minister expressed serious concern over the shortage of trained nurses and the resulting pressure on hospitals. He directed officials to initiate fast-track hiring through ETEA, ensure transparency, and expedite all pending approvals.
According to the briefing, the Nursing Council currently has 650 trained nurses awaiting clearance, causing delays in deployment at key healthcare facilities. The chief minister instructed the council to clear all pending cases on priority.
He emphasized that filling these seats quickly was essential to improving patient care, strengthening emergency services, and reducing workload on existing staff.
Immediate Hiring Through ETEA to KP Declares Nursing Emergency 2025
CM Afridi ordered the Health Department to coordinate with ETEA and complete all phases of recruitment—including testing, interviews, and final posting—at the earliest.
He said that the province could no longer afford delays in critical sectors such as nursing, especially when hospitals are receiving high patient loads due to dengue, malaria, and seasonal illnesses.
The chief minister also noted that:
- The hiring process must remain merit-based and transparent.
- Recruitment of doctors and specialists must also be completed without delay.
- The Nursing Council must speed up verification for the 650 pending trained nursing positions.
He warned departments against procedural delays and stressed that public health delivery required urgent, bold, and practical decisions.
Focus on Polio, Dengue & Malaria Control
During the meeting, the chief minister reviewed KP’s current polio eradication efforts and expressed concern over recent cases in high-risk districts. He ordered the strict implementation of safety protocols and vaccination drives.
Similarly, he instructed the health teams to ensure:
- Full enforcement of the KP Dengue Action Plan
- Regular fumigation drives in urban and rural areas
- Strengthened monitoring of malaria-affected regions
He said the government is determined to eradicate vector-borne diseases through coordinated actions at district and provincial levels.
Procurement of Medicines from January 1
To avoid shortages and delays, the chief minister issued directions to the Health Department to start procurement of medicines and essential equipment from January 1.
This will ensure:
- Continuous supply of life-saving drugs
- Improved availability of emergency equipment
- Streamlined distribution across hospitals and BHUs
He stressed that public hospitals must not face shortages at any point, as it directly affects treatment quality.
Plans for New Multi-Bed Hospitals in KP
With rising patient loads across major cities, CM Afridi instructed officials to review proposals for establishing new multi-bed hospitals in:
- Peshawar
- Kohat
- Malakand
He noted that the rapid population growth in KP has created pressure on tertiary care hospitals, including Lady Reading Hospital, Hayatabad Medical Complex, and KTH. New facilities are urgently needed to expand healthcare capacity.
Strengthening the KP Healthcare Commission
A major part of the meeting was dedicated to improving the Healthcare Commission, the body responsible for regulating public and private hospitals.
The chief minister ordered:
- Increased staffing
- Better monitoring and inspection mechanisms
- Strict enforcement against malpractice
- Licensing of clinics and diagnostic centres
He stated that the Commission must play a leading role in ensuring high standards of medical care across KP.
Progress on Khyber Institute of Child Health
Officials updated the chief minister on the ongoing construction of the Khyber Institute of Child Health, a flagship project aimed at improving pediatric services.
He instructed authorities to accelerate the work so the institute can become operational at the earliest.
Once completed, the institute will offer:
- Advanced pediatric treatment
- Specialized neonatal care
- Emergency child health services
- Medical training for pediatric professionals
182 Ongoing Development Projects Reviewed
The meeting was briefed on the progress of 182 projects included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP). Out of these, 76 projects are near completion, indicating significant progress in the current fiscal year.
Progress was also reported on nine flagship health initiatives, including:
- Burns Centre in D.I. Khan
- New laboratories in major hospitals
- Kohat Institute of Medical Sciences
- Reconstruction of Liaquat Memorial Teaching Hospital, Kohat
- Standardization of DHQ Hospital Mardan
These projects are expected to greatly improve diagnostic, emergency, and inpatient services across the province.
51 High-Priority Projects Showing Major Progress
Officials also highlighted significant progress on 51 high-priority projects such as:
- Upgrading the emergency and ICU of Hayatabad Medical Complex
- Establishing a brand-new nursing college in Upper Chitral
- Building a paraplegic center in the merged districts
- Strengthening the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI)
The chief minister said these initiatives will ensure long-term improvements in healthcare accessibility, service delivery, and patient safety.
CM Afridi Emphasizes “Swift and Realistic Strategies”
In his concluding remarks, the chief minister said that KP’s expanding population and rising health challenges require swift, practical, and realistic strategies.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to:
- Improving healthcare quality
- Ensuring timely recruitment
- Expanding infrastructure
- Enhancing disease control efforts
- Strengthening regulatory oversight
He said that public expectations are high and the government will act decisively to improve health services across the province.
