PESHAWAR: The Board of Governors (BoG) of Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) has appointed Prof Khalid Khan, currently Head of the Pathology Department, as medical director (MD) after the resignation of Dr Mushtaq Khattak.
The appointment has been made with immediate effect for five years, with an initial probation period of six months, under the MTI Reforms Act, 2015, according to a notification issued by the Secretary BoG on Wednesday. This is second appointment to this top slot in four months.
Sources told The News the appointment has been made without any formal advertisement or interview process. Dr Mushtaq Khattak, who had assumed charge as Medical Director in January, tendered his resignation last week. While no official reason was cited, sources said the move followed differences with the BoG over performance-related matters.
The development comes in the backdrop of observations recorded in the 49th meeting of the BoG, where the outgoing MD presented a performance briefing.HMC operates under the MTI framework, which grants administrative and financial autonomy to public sector hospitals under the oversight of independent boards. However, the model has witnessed periodic friction between executive leadership and governing bodies.
The latest leadership change is being seen by observers as another sign of the challenges in ensuring administrative stability at major public sector healthcare institutions in the province.Some officials questioned the selection of the new MD, arguing that any position that falls vacant in any MTI is required to be advertised as per the MTI Act 2015.
When reached, Media Manager of HMC, Wasim Khattak, told The News that he has been selected for the position but he is on a month-long leave; therefore, he would not comment on the hospital affairs.
This correspondent then sent text messages to BoG Chairman Dr Nurul Iman, asking if he would like to give his version regarding the replacement of the MD, as some officials had termed it against rules, saying the position was required to be advertised first.
