Rawalpindi's Healthcare Crisis: Unpaid Wages Leave Hospital Staff Struggling

On September 17, 2026, hundreds of daily wage workers at Rawalpindi's three largest government hospitals—Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, and District Headquarters Hospital—faced a dire reality: their wages remained unpaid, leaving many unable to pay rent or their children's school fees.

A Systemic Failure Exposes Vulnerable Workers

The crisis didn't emerge overnight. For months, these workers—janitors, ward boys, and support staff—have been caught in a bureaucratic quagmire. "We're told the funds are stuck in approval processes," said a worker at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, who requested anonymity. "But our landlords don't accept excuses." This delay has forced families to borrow money or skip meals, with some facing eviction notices.

Historically, daily wage workers in Pakistan's healthcare sector have been treated as expendable, often excluded from labor protections. The 2010 shifted health responsibilities to provinces, but oversight mechanisms failed to safeguard these workers' rights. Today, Rawalpindi's crisis reflects a broader pattern of financial mismanagement and neglect.

The Human Cost of Bureaucratic Indifference

At Holy Family Hospital, a 42-year-old ward boy shared, "My daughter's school threatened to expel her if fees aren't paid by next week." Such stories are common across the three hospitals, where over 400 daily wage workers are affected. The Punjab Health Department has cited "administrative delays" but offered no timeline for resolution.

Economist Sara Qureshi notes, "This isn't just about wages—it's about dignity. These workers are the backbone of our healthcare system, yet they're treated as disposable." The crisis also highlights the fragility of Pakistan's social safety nets, where a single missed paycheck can push families into poverty.

What Can Be Done?

Labor rights activists demand immediate payment and the regularization of daily wage workers. "The government must ensure these workers are on formal payrolls," says advocate Ali Haider. "Temporary fixes won't solve systemic exploitation." Meanwhile, affected workers are organizing protests, though past demonstrations have yielded little change.

For now, families like that of the Benazir Bhutto Hospital worker continue to scramble, hoping for a resolution before their situations become irreversible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many daily wage workers are affected in Rawalpindi's hospitals?

Over 400 daily wage workers across Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, and District Headquarters Hospital are impacted by the unpaid wages crisis.

What are the immediate consequences for these workers?

Workers face eviction due to unpaid rent, children's school expulsions over unpaid fees, and financial strain forcing families to borrow money or skip meals.

What solutions are being proposed by activists?

Activists demand immediate wage payment and permanent employment status for daily wage workers to end systemic exploitation in the healthcare sector.