13 female doctors among those leaving government service; reported reasons include salary delays, security concerns and workplace-related issues
KOHAT – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department formally accepted resignations of 40 medical officers, including 13 female doctors, who were appointed on a fixed-pay basis at government hospitals and basic healthcare facilities across the province.
According to official notification issued by Health Department, Health Secretary, acting as the competent authority under Rule 2(b) and (c) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department Contract Appointment of Doctors (Fixed Pay) Rules, 2022, has approved the resignations submitted by the medical officers.
The notification further directs the relevant District Health Officers (DHOs) and Medical Superintendents (MSs) to review the financial records of the departing doctors and ensure the settlement of outstanding dues, necessary salary adjustments and the recovery of any amounts owed to the government.
The doctors had been posted at government hospitals and healthcare facilities in several districts, including Bannu, Bajaur, Kohat, Charsadda, Dera Ismail Khan, Nowshera, Mansehra, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Lower Kohistan, Kurram, Orakzai, Malakand, Swat and Peshawar.
Doctors cite multiple reasons for the resignations including security concerns and law and order situation in certain areas reportedly prompted some female doctors to leave their positions rather than continue working under difficult circumstances. Other sources claim that some doctors had secured employment elsewhere or were not regularly reporting for duty at their designated healthcare facilities.
Some doctors lamented delays in salary payments, reportedly extending to three months.. The affected doctors reportedly found it increasingly difficult to continue working without receiving their salaries.
During PTI-led government, hundreds of male and female doctors were reportedly offered appointments on a fixed-pay basis. However, dozens declined the offers for various reasons, while others accepted the positions. Sources further indicate that several doctors had declined or withdrawn from these appointments between July and September 2026.
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The resignations of 40 medical officers, including 13 women, raised concerns about staffing arrangements and the continuity of healthcare services at government hospitals and basic healthcare facilities, particularly in districts already facing shortages of medical personnel.
The development has also raised questions about the effectiveness of fixed-pay recruitment arrangements and the government’s ability to retain doctors in public-sector healthcare facilities, especially in remote and security-sensitive districts.
While the Health Department’s official notification confirms the acceptance of the resignations, the individual reasons cited for leaving government service require further clarification from the department and the doctors concerned.
