Khyber Awaz

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) government, under the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), has made impressive strides in improving various public sectors, with a primary focus on education and policing. One of their standout achievements was the successful relocation of 34,000 children from private to improved public schools, marking a significant milestone in education reform. The police sector also saw a major overhaul, with revamped offices and a cleaner, more impartial system free from political interference.

Now, the PTI-led government is turning its attention to another crucial area: healthcare. The goal is clear – to phase out reliance on private hospitals and significantly improve the standards of government-run medical facilities. While the KPK government initially sought to support private hospitals through initiatives like the Sehat Insaf Card program, offering free treatment at private hospitals, this 5-billion rupee initiative proved insufficient in the long term. The real solution, as the government now believes, lies in enhancing the capabilities and infrastructure of public hospitals.

The KPK government’s strategy is straightforward: transform public health facilities to such a high standard that they become the preferred choice over private hospitals. And from the looks of things, this ambitious objective is already off to a strong start. Recently shared images on PTI’s official Twitter handle showcase the stunning transformation of public hospitals in Peshawar, where modern infrastructure and improved facilities have exceeded expectations.

These developments are part of a broader effort to revolutionize healthcare in the province. PTI’s leadership is focused on ensuring that government-run healthcare institutions not only match but surpass the quality of private medical practices. To this end, new projects are also in the pipeline, with a major one being the establishment of a Women Health Care Hospital in Peshawar. Announced by PTI Chairman Imran Khan in February, this 500-bed facility is set to address the province’s critical need for improved maternity healthcare services, aiming to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in KPK.

With these ambitious reforms and a focus on elevating healthcare standards, the KPK government is making significant progress in its goal of transforming public health services into world-class institutions that can meet the needs of the population.