Hundreds of patients seeking routine care at Peshawar's largest public hospital faced a fifth day of disruption Monday as a doctors' strike over alleged illegal appointments continued, despite claims from the provincial health minister that the walkout had ended. The standoff at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) has left outpatient departments shuttered, forcing patients to either forgo treatment or pay steep fees for private consultations within the same facility. Main Developments All services at HMC and its affiliated Institute of Kidney Diseases (IKD) remained suspended except for emergency care, according to hospital sources. Patients who arrived for outpatient appointments — each paying a nominal fee of 50 rupees — found themselves redirected to institution-based practice (IBP), where consultation fees start at 1,500 rupees. The protesting doctors, led by the Young Doctors Association (YDA), have refused to return to work until the government investigates what they describe as illegal appointments within the hospital. YDA president Asfandyar Bittani confirmed that the strike would continue because Health Minister did not accept their key demand to remove the chairman of the Board of Governors (BoG) and initiate an impartial inquiry in line with a previous assurance from the chief minister. Read also: Lahore Cyber Fraud Ring Busted: 14 Held in Latest Crackdown Meanwhile, a former hospital director of HMC has raised objections to the inquiry committee formed by the BoG to probe allegations of concealment of facts and irregularities. In a letter to the BoG secretary, the former director argued that a five-member panel comprising junior officials cannot legally investigate a senior officer, as all members had previously worked under his supervision. Background The dispute traces back to reforms launched by HMC administration, which the protesting doctors claim were designed to halt the process of merit-based appointments. Hospital administration officials have defended the reforms, saying they aim to implement recommendations from the Medical Teaching Institutions (MTI) Policy Board and improve patient care. They insist that merit was upheld in all senior-level hiring decisions. The former hospital director's complaint adds a layer of administrative complexity. He contends that the inquiry committee was formed on the directives of the same BoG chairman against whom he had previously reported allegations of administrative misconduct, abuse of authority, and procedural irregularities. This, he argues, creates a clear conflict of interest that undermines any finding the committee might produce. The health minister had earlier claimed the strike was called off after meetings with YDA representatives, but the doctors' continued protest directly contradicts that assertion, highlighting a breakdown in communication between the government and medical staff. Why It Matters For residents of Peshawar and surrounding areas who depend on HMC for affordable healthcare, the strike means either paying significantly more for private consultations or delaying treatment altogether. The 50-rupee outpatient fee — already a barrier for many — becomes irrelevant when the only option is IBP costing 30 times that amount. The broader implications extend beyond immediate patient suffering. The standoff raises questions about governance within public health institutions, the effectiveness of inquiry mechanisms, and whether the MTI Policy Board can mediate disputes impartially when its own officials are accused of bias. If the strike continues without resolution, it could erode public trust in the hospital's ability to deliver consistent, affordable care. What's Next With the health minister's claim of a strike end contradicted by YDA's continued protest, the immediate path forward remains unclear. The former hospital director has called for an independent and impartial inquiry committee to be constituted by the MTIs Policy Board and health department, arguing that only such a body can ensure fairness and transparency under the Constitution and MTI Act. YDA leadership has signaled it will not relent until the BoG chairman is removed and a proper investigation is launched. Hospital administration, meanwhile, has vowed to implement all government and MTI Policy Board recommendations to improve patient care. Without a negotiated settlement, patients returning to HMC on Tuesday may find OPD doors still locked — and the same 1,500-rupee price tag for a doctor's consultation.