Despite the much-touted increase in its health budget early this year, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has yet to implement its vision for human development. A logjam prevails over many of its reforms where various government hospitals across the province still lack basic facilities. In the wake of such dismal provision of health care, its citizens cannot be blamed for turning to anyone who promises relief.
The administration should, hence, be held responsible for identifying all fraudulent practitioners to ensure high-quality services to its patients. However, its failure to kick off the Healthcare Commission of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the last 18 months has been manifested in a shambolic situation. Non-existent regulations and a dearth of state funds as well as trained personnel continue to strip all potential off a legislation that looked remarkable when passed in the assembly. This vacuum left behind by a network of quality health care is, thus, filled with a plethora of quacks and untrained physicians, endangering many lives with their risky ‘treatments’.
