Capitation fund misuse allegations emerge at Mansehra hospital

MANSEHRA: Allegations of financial irregularities have surfaced at King Abdullah Teaching Hospital in Mansehra over the handling of capitation funds received from Frontier Medical College Abbottabad, with Hospital Management Committee members saying they were kept unaware of how the money was spent.

Frontier Medical College transfers Rs18 million each year to the hospital. The amount was meant to support hospital improvement and patient care, but it was allegedly diverted for years through unauthorised internal distribution.

Rs6 million was allegedly paid annually to the medical superintendent, Rs3 million to the deputy medical superintendent, and Rs1 million to the head clerk. Financial records were allegedly withheld from community representatives serving on the Hospital Management Committee.

When contacted, Hospital Management Committee members said the hospital administration and the head clerk kept financial matters concealed from the committee, preventing them from sharing full details. They also said committee members had never been given a formal account of hospital spending or of the use of the capitation fee.