Purpose: This study evaluated the effectiveness of emergency preparedness policies in managing healthcare disruptions in Peshawar, Pakistan, while identifying priority areas for improvement.

Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 429 physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and administrators, sampled through stratified random sampling across public and private hospitals in both urban and peri-urban settings.

Measures: A structured questionnaire assessed four preparedness dimensions: clarity of plans, coordination with external agencies, resource availability, and frequency of drills, along with overall satisfaction. Items were rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = poor readiness; 5 = excellent readiness).

Analysis: Data reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.77–0.84). Pearson correlations examined associations among preparedness attributes and satisfaction, while multiple linear regression identified independent predictors. Independent-samples t-tests and ANOVA compared preparedness across facility type (public vs. private) and region (urban vs. rural).

Results: All preparedness attributes were positively associated with satisfaction. The strongest predictors were clarity of plans (β = 0.32, p < 0.001) and coordination with agencies (β = 0.28, p < 0.001), followed by drill frequency (β = 0.19, p = 0.003) and resource availability (β = 0.15, p = 0.036). Public hospitals reported higher clarity of plans (p < 0.05), while urban facilities conducted drills more frequently than rural ones (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Emergency preparedness policies in Peshawar are viewed positively, with policy clarity and inter-agency coordination emerging as the most critical drivers of healthcare resilience. To sustain effectiveness, greater emphasis on equitable resource allocation and institutionalizing regular drills is needed, particularly in peri-urban and private facilities.

Keywords: Emergency Preparedness, Healthcare Disruptions, Policy Effectiveness, Drills, Coordination, Resilience, Peshawar