Sources in Paktia informed Afghanistan International that several doctors at the regional hospital have initiated a strike in protest against the behaviour of Mullah Khair Mohammad Mansoor, the Taliban's head of public health in the province.
The doctors are also protesting against the lack of salary as well as employment of relatives of this Taliban official.
They allege that Mansoor, without the permission of the Ministry of Public Health, has arbitrarily dismissed specialised hospital staff and hired his unqualified relatives.
They also indicated that this Taliban official has delayed doctors' salaries for months, causing frustration among hospital staff.
A list of doctors who have resigned due to these actions by Mullah Mansoor has reached to Afghanistan International.
According to sources, the strike has led to serious issues for patients in the hospital.
Additionally, following the resignation of female doctors, male doctors have taken over duties in the maternity ward. According to sources, all doctors at the regional hospital of Paktia are considering resigning, but some of them have been prevented and threatened by Mullah Mansoor.
Afghanistan International has learned that Mullah Mansoor lacks medical education and is currently a twelfth-grade student at Paktia Night School.
Sources within the Taliban's public health office in Paktia have provided Afghanistan International with a list indicating that during Mansoor's tenure, no positions have been publicly announced, and Mansoor's relatives with high salaries have been appointed to vacant positions.
Additionally, Ali Gul, who serves as the head of Zazai Aryub Hospital in Paktia province, is also the brother of Mullah Mansoor. He has appointed his niece and nephew to medical positions under his control within the hospital.
According to information available with Afghanistan International, Mullah Mansoor’s brothers have been appointed as hospital vaccinators and COVID sample transporters, receiving high salaries.
Some medical institutions in Paktia, which financially support medical personnel under Taliban oversight, express frustration with Khair Mohammad Mansoor's appointments. They declined to be named in the report due to security concerns.
Public health officials have confirmed the doctors' strike to Afghanistan International and stated that a delegation from the Taliban's Ministry of Public Health has traveled to the province to negotiate with the doctors.
The regional hospital of Paktia is one of the main healthcare facilities in the southeastern region of Afghanistan, catering to patients from Khost, Paktia, and Paktika provinces. Established with modern equipment during the previous government's tenure, the hospital currently employs approximately 300 healthcare workers.
