Peshawar, Pakistan — The director of Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), the largest tertiary care hospital in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is reportedly unlikely to receive an extension as his current term comes to an end on December 31, sources close to the hospital administration revealed. The decision comes amid growing scrutiny over alleged mismanagement and complaints regarding patient care at the premier medical institution.
The Board of Governors (BoG) of LRH has indicated that the position will be advertised for fresh applications, signaling a possible change in leadership. While it was earlier assumed that the director might be retained for another term — a practice that has been followed under the Medical Teaching Institutions (MTI) Reforms Act of 2015 — authorities now appear inclined to bring in new leadership to address longstanding administrative concerns.
Earlier this month, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi had directed the termination of the LRH director and suspension of the head of the paediatric emergency department, citing serious lapses in management and patient services. However, implementation of these directives was delayed as the BoG conducted two separate inquiries — one into the director’s overall performance and another into conditions in the paediatric emergency ward.
According to officials, both inquiries have reportedly been completed, but the findings are still under review. While the health department awaits the formal release of the reports, the BoG’s move to recruit through open advertisement is being seen as a decisive step toward enhancing accountability and transparency at the hospital.
Sources suggest that while the director is set to exit, other senior officials, including the head of the paediatric emergency department, may only receive warnings, with heavy workload cited as a mitigating factor. The developments reflect the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to improve governance and service delivery in one of Pakistan’s busiest healthcare facilities.
The MTI law, under which LRH operates, gives autonomy to the hospital’s BoG in administrative and financial matters. This includes the authority to appoint, extend, or terminate senior officials, effectively reducing direct intervention from the health department. Observers note that this framework is now being tested as authorities navigate administrative challenges amid public pressure for better healthcare standards.
With the director’s term ending imminently, attention now turns to the appointment of a new leadership team capable of restoring public confidence, streamlining hospital operations, and addressing long-standing complaints regarding patient care. The coming weeks are expected to be critical for LRH’s administration, as stakeholders and citizens alike await decisive action.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.