Punjab’s ambitious plan to outsource rural health centers (RHCs) has suffered a major setback as contractor doctors in three districts have abandoned their posts, resulting in the closure of several health facilities and patients stranded.
According to health department sources, contractor doctors at RHCs in three districts—Baserpur in Okara, Satra in Sialkot, and Shehr Sultan in Muzaffargarh—have abruptly exited their agreements.
As a result, these RHCs have been shuttered, denying essential healthcare access to thousands of residents in surrounding rural areas.
The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Health in all three districts have urgently requested the government to reinstate regular doctors to resume services.
Sources revealed that in other districts, some contracted doctors have also hinted at leaving, raising fears of a broader collapse of the outsourced health center model.
Under the first phase of Punjab’s privatization initiative, 81 out of 315 RHCs were outsourced across the province.
The strategy aimed to improve healthcare delivery by involving private contractors under performance-based agreements.
However, the fact that doctors from the very first batch of contractors are now exiting has raised serious concerns about the viability of this public-private partnership.
The sources revealed that the government rushed the process, awarding contracts to ineligible or inexperienced doctors who later abandoned their duties.
The failure has sparked concerns about rural healthcare access, with patients now forced to travel long distances for treatment.
Health authorities face mounting criticism and are now reconsidering the outsourcing policy, with demands to either improve monitoring or return RHCs to full government control.
Healthcare experts have warned that abrupt closures of these centers are jeopardizing critical health services in underserved areas, particularly maternal and child care, emergency treatment, and vaccination programs.
Reporter: Zahid Chaudhry