KP becomes first province to place psychologists in all DHQ hospitals

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department has posted 32 psychologists across district headquarters (DHQ) hospitals in the province, marking the first time mental health professionals have been formally inducted at the district level in the province’s public health system.

Officials said the initiative aims to improve early diagnosis and management of mental health conditions at local hospitals, reducing pressure on tertiary care facilities.

Project Director of the Revamping of Non-Teaching DHQ Hospitals initiative, Dr Shahzad Faisal, said KP faces a significantly higher burden of mental health disorders due to decades of conflict, militancy, displacement and natural disasters.

He said an estimated 25 to 34 per cent of the population in conflict-affected districts suffers from conditions such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, many of which remain undiagnosed due to lack of specialised services at the district level.

Under the new system, mental health desks are being established in DHQ hospitals to provide screening, counselling support and confidential consultation spaces, particularly for women and young people. These desks will also serve as referral points linking basic health units with specialised psychiatric care.

Officials said the psychologists will also help generate district-level mental health data to guide future policy and planning.

The inductees have undergone training under senior psychiatry faculty, while electronic consultation and referral systems are also being introduced to improve coordination between facilities.

The initiative is part of a broader Rs32 billion revamping project launched in 2020 to upgrade DHQ hospitals across the province. The project includes installation of modern medical equipment such as ventilators, digital X-ray machines, ultrasound systems, incubators, defibrillators and surgical instruments.

Authorities said the aim is to strengthen both emergency and elective services at district hospitals, enabling patients to receive treatment closer to home and reducing the burden on major tertiary care hospitals.

Officials added that staff training programmes are also underway, with over 150 medical professionals already trained in various disciplines.

The project is expected to be completed by 2028 and is aimed at improving healthcare delivery at the district level while enhancing the overall efficiency of the provincial health system.