Islamabad: In a move that has raised eyebrows across Pakistan’s public health community, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has advertised the key post of Project Director for the Prime Minister’s Programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C Infection — without requiring the applicant to be a medical doctor.
The advertisement, published recently in national newspapers, outlines that candidates with a master’s degree in Management, Public Health or Social Sciences are eligible for the post, which is being filled on a contract basis till June 2027. Nowhere does it require the applicant to be a medical professional or have any clinical expertise in hepatitis — a disease that affects an estimated 12 million Pakistanis and kills thousands each year.
This surprising omission has triggered speculation that the powerful Rs68 billion hepatitis elimination program — which involves large-scale procurements of diagnostic kits, medicines and operational logistics — may be headed towards non-clinical hands, possibly for reasons beyond merit.
“Maybe they already have someone in mind who is not a doctor,” a former federal health minister commented on condition of anonymity. “But technically, a non-doctor can be a Project Director. Doctors aren’t always the best managers. This is primarily a management position. The ideal combination, however, would be a doctor with experience in hepatology who also has management expertise.”
The Prime Minister’s Programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C was launched to achieve hepatitis C elimination targets by 2030 in line with WHO goals. With one of the highest burdens of hepatitis C in the world, Pakistan’s success in curbing the disease depends heavily on the efficiency, technical direction, and transparency of this program.
According to the latest data, hepatitis B and C cause more deaths in Pakistan annually than tuberculosis and HIV combined. In 2021, the WHO warned that Pakistan was experiencing a “silent epidemic” of hepatitis, with an estimated 400,000 new infections every year — primarily due to unsafe medical practices, reuse of syringes, and poor infection control.
The multi-billion-rupee elimination program involves mass screening, procurement of diagnostics, treatment with antiviral medicines like Sofosbuvir and Daclatasvir, and major awareness campaigns. It is a technically complex operation that also needs tight fiscal and logistical control — making leadership crucial.
Critics argue that excluding medical doctors from eligibility for the Project Director post compromises the technical integrity of the program and could open doors for political appointments.
“This isn’t just a regular project. It’s a matter of saving lives,” said a senior hepatologist based in Islamabad. “You can’t treat hepatitis C like a brick-and-mortar project. Clinical insight is essential. Management skills can be hired — medical credibility cannot.”
While the eligibility criteria mention a preference for “higher qualifications” and experience in public sector rules and regulations, the absence of any requirement for health or hepatitis-related technical expertise has drawn criticism.
“If the government wants to ensure merit, it should make the process transparent and inclusive,” the former health minister added. “Even if a non-doctor is considered, the public and the professional community need assurance that the choice is based on competence, not connections.”
With billions at stake and lives on the line, many in the health sector are now calling on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take notice of the recruitment process, especially given past controversies surrounding program mismanagement and procurement scandals in the health ministry.
“If the prime minister is serious about achieving hepatitis elimination goals, he must ensure that this recruitment is done transparently, with proper oversight,” said a public health expert familiar with the program’s inner workings. “This is not just a test of hiring — it’s a test of intent.”
The Ministry’s job posting specifies that the role is based in Islamabad, on a Project Pay Scale (PPS-12, equivalent to BPS-22), with a minimum age of 40 years and a maximum of 62. Applicants are required to have 12 years of post-qualification experience, including in project management and financial administration.
Applications can only be submitted through the National Job Portal (www.njp.gov.pk) within 15 days of the advertisement.
As Pakistan races against time to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030, all eyes are now on who will be appointed to lead this mission — and whether that choice will be based on qualifications, merit, and clinical relevance, or something else entirely.
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