Doctor absenteeism puts public healthcare under strain

Shakir Khan, a resident of Charsadda, has found himself relying heavily on trainee doctors at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) for medical care. With senior consultants scarce beyond their morning rounds, patients often receive treatment from trainee medical officers (TMOs). This experience is shared by patients at major public teaching hospitals in Peshawar, who complain about the unavailability of senior doctors and technical staff during duty hours.

The issue was recently brought to light at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), where a doctor was terminated for allegedly failing to fulfill official duties while dedicating significant time to a private clinic. In response, HMC spokesperson Muhammad Wasim Khattak emphasized that no employee, regardless of position, would be allowed to compromise on attendance.

Official monitoring data from the Independent Monitoring Unit (IMU) revealed that 228 out of 390 monitored doctors were absent from duty in 2025. The report noted that absenteeism was more prevalent in rural hospitals and health facilities. Hospital administrations deny widespread absenteeism, claiming that senior doctors and consultants are available around the clock, especially in emergency departments.

However, they attribute the problem partly to the Medical Teaching Institutions (MTI) system, suggesting political considerations influence doctors' treatment. Families visiting public hospitals expect senior consultants to be present for serious or prolonged illnesses, and the complaints over absenteeism have raised questions about the effectiveness of current attendance and monitoring mechanisms.