PESHAWAR: The health department has started recruitment of lady health workers to strengthen primary healthcare services at the grassroots level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Adviser to chief minister on health Ihtisham Ali stated this while addressing a ceremony here on Monday, according to a statement.

The provincial government has initiated the phasewise hiring of LHWs, he said, adding the development comes as a result of the special interest taken by the government to further strengthen patients` care, especially at the primary health facilities.

`The LHWs play vital role in improving healthcare delivery at the grassroots level,` he said.

`The hiring process aims to address the shortage of community-based health providers, ensuring that essential healthcare services, particularly maternal and child health, immunisation and health awareness campaigns, reach every household,` Mr Ali stressed.

`By increasing the workforce of LHWs, the government intends to enhance healthcare access in rural and underserved areas, ultimately reducing the burden on secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities,` he added.

Mr Ali reiterated the government`s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare and ensuring that every citizen had access to essential medical services at their doorstep. He highlighted that the recruitment process was being carried out in a transparent and merit-based manner, ensuring that qualified individuals were inducted into the system.

The phased hiring approach allows for a systematic expansion of the LHW programme, ensuring that the newly-recruited workers receive proper training and integration into the existing healthcare network.

Health officials believe that this initiative will lead to better maternal and child health indicators and contribute to overall disease prevention efforts across the province.

The provincial government has reaffirmed its dedication to investing in primary healthcare, recognising it as the foundation of a strong and sustainable health system. The hiring of LHWs is a crucial step in this direction, promising long-term benefits for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Director-General Health Services Dr Mohammad Salim Khan and other officials were also present on the occasion.