The province’s health system has been under increasing scrutiny after a series of audits revealed lapses in the verification of medical credentials. Earlier this year, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s health department launched a province‑wide review of doctors’ registration documents in an effort to curb fraudulent practices and reinforce public trust in health services.
In the latest development, the department has terminated the employment of thirty physicians, citing fabricated Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) registrations and irregularities in the way their appointments were processed. The decision follows a formal notification that each doctor was given an opportunity to explain the discrepancies before the final verdict was rendered.
According to the official circular, the health authority examined the submitted explanations and found them insufficient to justify the alleged falsifications. As a result, the affected doctors were immediately removed from service, and the department has indicated that further administrative or legal action may follow, depending on the outcomes of ongoing investigations.
The dismissals come at a time when Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is already grappling with a shortage of qualified medical staff, especially in its remote districts. Health officials warn that the sudden loss of thirty practitioners could temporarily strain outpatient and emergency services, prompting the department to redeploy available doctors and accelerate recruitment of vetted candidates.
Stakeholders in the medical community have expressed mixed reactions. While the Pakistan Medical Association welcomed the crackdown as a necessary step toward safeguarding patient safety, some senior physicians cautioned that the episode highlights systemic gaps in credential verification that need long‑term reforms. The health department has pledged to continue its audit of medical personnel records across the province, aiming to prevent similar incidents and restore confidence in the public health system.