KP Declares Nursing Emergency. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has officially declared a Nursing Emergency 2025 as hospitals across the province struggle with a critical shortage of trained nurses and medical staff. Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi directed immediate recruitment to fill hundreds of vacant positions and stabilize the province’s healthcare system.
This major step aims to provide better patient care, reduce staff overload, and strengthen medical facilities in both urban and rural regions of KP.
Why KP Declared aNursing Emergency
During a high-level meeting with the Health Department, the chief minister expressed deep concern about the rising gap between healthcare needs and available professionals.
He issued strong directives to:
- Fast-track nurse recruitment through the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA)
- Clear 650 pending trained nursing posts
- Improve hospital administration and implement strict monitoring
Afridi stressed that transparency and merit-based hiring are non-negotiable, ensuring the right professionals join the system without delays.
Focus on Doctors, Specialists & Disease Prevention
Beyond nursing staff, the chief minister highlighted the urgent need to hire more doctors and specialists in key provincial hospitals.
He instructed health authorities to take aggressive steps against major public-health threats, including:
- Polio
- Dengue
- Malaria
Afridi ordered strict implementation of the Dengue Action Plan, along with preventive efforts and strong community surveillance.
To avoid future shortages, he also instructed that medicine and equipment procurement must begin from January 1, 2026.
Expansion Plans: New Hospitals & Better Oversight
With hospital pressure increasing in Peshawar, Kohat, and Malakand, KP’s leadership is evaluating proposals for:
- New multi-bed hospitals
- Additional specialized healthcare units
- Improved referral and emergency response systems
The Chief Minister directed the Healthcare Commission to enhance regulatory oversight and ensure healthcare facilities meet provincial standards.
Work on the Khyber Institute of Child Health was also reviewed, with orders to accelerate construction to open the facility as early as possible.
Major Health & Development Projects Underway
Officials briefed the chief minister that 182 healthcare projects are part of KP’s Annual Development Programme (ADP), out of which:
- 76 projects are in the final stages
- 9 flagship projects are progressing rapidly
Notable Projects Include:
Flagship Projects
- Burns centre in Dera Ismail Khan
- New hospital laboratories
- Kohat Institute of Medical Sciences
- Reconstruction of Liaquat Memorial Teaching Hospital, Kohat
- Standardisation of DHQ Hospital Mardan
High-Priority Projects (Ongoing)
- Upgrading Hayatabad Medical Complex’s emergency and ICU
- Establishing a nursing college in Upper Chitral
- Construction of a paraplegic centre in merged districts
- Strengthening KP’s EPI immunization programme
Growing Population, Increasing Health Needs
The Chief Minister emphasised that KP’s rising population demands faster, smarter, and more effective healthcare strategies. He stressed the need for:
- Continuous monitoring
- Efficient budgeting
- Skilled workforce management
- Stronger hospital oversight
Afridi’s declaration signals a renewed governmental commitment to improving medical infrastructure, supporting frontline staff, and safeguarding public health.
Conclusion
KP’s decision to declare a nursing emergency and launch a massive recruitment drive marks a major step toward rebuilding the province’s healthcare system. With hundreds of new jobs, accelerated development projects, and strong disease-control initiatives, the province aims to deliver modern, reliable, and accessible healthcare for its growing population.
This move reflects a long-term vision to empower medical professionals, upgrade facilities, and ensure better treatment for millions of KP residents.
