PESHAWAR — The Burn and Plastic Surgery Centre in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s only specialized facility, faces a severe crisis due to the burn hospital Peshawar staff shortage. With only 40% of nursing staff remaining after 60% resigned, emergency, ICU, and surgical unit services face critical disruption.
Basic facilities remain lacking, and recruitment delays continue to worsen the situation. This article details the burn hospital Peshawar staff shortage, its impact on patient care, and urgent calls for reform.
The staff shortage has caused serious operational challenges at the burn hospital. Infection control standards at this key referral center have completely broken down. Cleaning and infection prevention duties, usually performed by trained staff, now fall to security guards and lower-tier workers. As a result, burn patients experience rising complications due to inadequate infection control.
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A senior staff member, speaking anonymously, said the staff shortage has led to a dangerous increase in infection rates, putting patients’ lives at risk. Although the ICU is listed as operational on paper, it has no dedicated ICU medical officer or specialist intensivist. This further worsens outcomes for critically ill patients.
Delays in filling vacant positions continue to intensify the burn hospital Peshawar staff shortage. Authorities conducted written exams for key roles months ago, but they have yet to release the final merit list. Critically injured patients suffer daily because essential medical specialists remain unavailable. One responsible officer called the delay “unacceptable.”
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Nurses working at the center are under extreme pressure. With most positions unfilled and the hiring process stalled, they must work extended shifts. Many nurses have already left for better opportunities in Gulf countries, and replacements have not been hired. The paramedical staff shortage has reached a critical point. More than half the positions remain vacant, which has paralyzed essential areas such as operation theaters, dressing rooms, and post-operative care.
Due to the ongoing staff shortage, the hospital has failed to follow infection control protocols. Basic protective measures are missing, and infection rates continue to rise. Sources inside the hospital confirm that no permanent appointments have taken place in the past three years, even after repeated emergency requests from management. The recruitment process remains stalled, with no resolution in sight.
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A senior physician raised the alarm, stating the Burn and Plastic Surgery Centre serves not just Peshawar but the entire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, including the merged districts. Without swift and decisive action, this essential facility may become completely non-functional, leaving the province without a single burn treatment center.
Healthcare Professionals, Civil Society Demand Immediate Action
Healthcare experts, hospital staff, and civil society members are urging the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, the provincial health department, and the hospital’s Board of Governors to act immediately. They have demanded the completion of the recruitment process and broad reforms to stop the institution from collapsing.
Health Advisor Ahtesham Ali explained that most trained staff migrated abroad during the caretaker government due to a ban on new appointments. However, the current PTI government has authorized new recruitment for the Burn Trauma Centre. Officials halted the process three months before the former director’s retirement because he lacked appointment authority.
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A new director has since taken charge, but he also lacks hiring powers. Although the recruitment process has been completed, it still awaits board approval. Officials expect to finalize appointments in the next board meeting. Currently, about 75 out of 120 expert nurses remain on duty at the Burn Trauma Centre.
