In Peshawar, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is taking sweeping steps to develop medical tourism. Led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s vision, the initiative focuses on making healthcare accessible for foreign patients, particularly from Central Asia. One of the key changes will be immediate visa facilitation and the setup of a dedicated help desk at the Torkham border to smooth the entry process for those seeking treatment.
A joint meeting between the Health Department and the Department of Culture, Tourism & Archaeology set the groundwork for putting medical tourism into action. They drew up a roadmap to harness KP’s potential in this field, aiming to match international standards.
Plans include significantly increasing bed capacity at four major hospitals in Peshawar—Hayatabad Medical Complex, the Institute of Kidney Diseases, Peshawar Institute of Cardiology, and the Burn & Trauma Centre—to manage the expected rise in patient numbers.
Officials say KP could emerge as a regional destination for medical travelers from Europe, the US, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. This move is intended not just to boost healthcare delivery but also to strengthen the local economy and Pakistan’s international standing.
The provincial government will soon reach out to the federal government to formalize urgent visa rules for medical patients. The overall goal: deliver world-class care, make the region a place people trust for treatment, and use medical tourism to elevate both image and economic prospects.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Advances Medical Tourism with New Facilities and Visa Support
