The Young Doctors Association (YDA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has demanded the recruitment of more than 6,000 vacant doctor positions through the Public Service Commission, a third-party audit of MTI hospitals and the Sehat Card programme, and an increase in doctors' salaries.

The association said it had already submitted evidence of alleged corruption in the provincial Health Department to Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, but claimed that no action had been taken despite 40 days having passed.

The YDA urged the chief minister to fulfil his commitment by publicly identifying those allegedly involved in corruption within the Health Department. It warned that if no action is taken, the association will launch a "Save Health Movement" and release the evidence to the public.

Speaking at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Dr Asfandyar Bettani said that after the YDA presented evidence of alleged corruption and irregularities at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), the chief minister had announced an inquiry.

He said the association had submitted all evidence before the inquiry committee, but neither the inquiry report had been made public nor had action been taken against those responsible. He also alleged that evidence of irregularities in the recruitment of fixed-pay medical officers had been provided to the chief minister, but no practical progress had been made.

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Dr Bettani said that more than 6,000 doctor posts are currently vacant across the province and should be filled immediately through the Public Service Commission to ensure merit and transparency while eliminating alleged corruption in recruitment.

He further alleged that corruption continues in MTI hospitals and the Sehat Card programme, claiming that no MTI hospital has undergone a third-party audit. He also alleged that chairpersons, managing directors, and other key officials were appointed on political recommendations rather than merit, while substandard companies were associated with the Sehat Card programme.

Dr Bettani said the government had promised salary increases for doctors in the provincial budget but had failed to implement them. He criticised the government for allocating Rs500 million for a public Wi-Fi project and increasing bureaucrats' salaries while failing to provide adequate resources for doctors, house officers, and trainee medical officers.

He also questioned the government's commitment to its promise of constructing new hospitals with a total capacity of 5,000 beds, saying only Rs270 million had been allocated for new hospitals in the current budget, making timely completion unlikely.

Highlighting the challenges faced by public hospitals, he said there is a severe shortage of wards, ICU facilities, beds, and medicines. In many hospitals, two patients are forced to share a single bed, placing immense pressure on doctors, who also face hostile reactions from patients' attendants.

The YDA demanded that all inquiry reports related to alleged corruption in the Health Department be made public, vacant posts be filled through the Public Service Commission, doctors' salaries be increased, third-party audits of MTI hospitals and the Sehat Card programme be conducted, and basic healthcare facilities in public hospitals be improved.

The association warned that if the government fails to seriously address its demands, it will hold conventions at the Peshawar Press Club and Nishtar Hall, publicly present evidence of alleged corruption in the Health Department, and formally launch its Save Health Movement.