Rawalpindi public hospitals face possible halt to free medicines from next month

RAWALPINDI: Free medicines for patients at Rawalpindi’s three main public sector hospitals may no longer be available from next month because the Punjab health authorities have yet to release the remaining funds requested for the current fiscal year, according to hospital and university officials.

A senior official at Holy Family Hospital told Dawn that Holy Family Hospital in Satellite Town, Benazir Bhutto Hospital on Murree Road and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital in Raja Bazaar had sought Rs4.5 billion for the 2025-26 fiscal year. He said the Punjab government released Rs2.5 billion and had assured the hospitals that the remaining Rs2 billion would be provided in May 2026, but that amount has not been released so far.

The official said the three hospitals had purchased medicines up to June 30, but lacked the funds needed to clear payments to distributors and vendors for further supplies. He said suppliers had refused to continue providing medicines without payment, warning that the position could worsen in the coming days and leave hospitals unable to offer free medicines to patients.

According to the same official, Holy Family Hospital requested Rs1.5 billion for medicines and received Rs400 million, while Benazir Bhutto General Hospital also sought Rs1.5 billion and was given Rs380 million. Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital requested Rs1 billion and received Rs250 million.

A senior official of Rawalpindi Medical University confirmed to Dawn that the Punjab government had directed hospitals to provide free medicines to outdoor, indoor, emergency and admitted patients, and said the three institutions had collectively requested Rs4.5 billion for 2025-26. He said the shortage of funds would affect the free medicine programme and could draw public criticism toward both the government and hospital administrations.

The RMU official added that the university’s syndicate had raised concerns over the matter and called for the release of funds. He also said the issue had been brought to the attention of Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Raffique.

Holy Family Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Ijaz Butt said the hospital had sought funds for free medicines but was facing a shortfall of Rs900 million. He said the finance department had promised to release funds in May, but nothing had been provided so far.

Benazir Bhutto Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Sharjeel said the hospital had asked for more than Rs1 billion, but the required amount was not released. He said medicines had been procured for the current fiscal year, but warned the situation would become more difficult in the next fiscal year. He added that vendors and distributors had demanded payment of their outstanding dues before the fiscal year ends in June.