Healthcare receives sizeable budget boost

RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has earmarked new budget allocations for major public hospitals, nursing institutions and Rawalpindi Medical University in the city under the 2026-27 budget, with the financial package due to take effect from July 1 after final approval.

The allocations cover Rawalpindi’s three main government hospitals — Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital — as well as other specialised healthcare facilities and medical education institutions. At the same time, officials said these three major hospitals are carrying unpaid liabilities of around Rs2.20 billion from the outgoing 2025-26 fiscal year.

Hospital-wise allocations

Under the proposed budget, the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology has been allocated Rs2.5722 billion. Holy Family Hospital has been assigned Rs2.8854 billion, the largest allocation among the city’s hospitals. Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital is to receive Rs1.1316 billion, while Benazir Bhutto General Hospital has been allocated Rs1.8186 billion.

For medical education, Rawalpindi Medical University has been allocated Rs832 million. The College of Nursing at Benazir Bhutto General Hospital is set to receive Rs92 million.

Specialised facilities included

The budget framework also includes several specialised centres. The Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Centre in Sihala Murree has been allocated Rs565.3 million. Blood Transfusion Services at Holy Family Hospital will receive Rs34 million, while the same service at Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital has been allocated Rs125 million. Another Rs49.11 million has been set aside for Blood Transfusion Services at Syed Muhammad Hussain General Hospital in Sihala Murree.

Separately, Syed Muhammad Hussain General Hospital, Sihala Murree, has been allocated Rs475.6 million under the new financial plan.

Outstanding dues remain a concern

Despite the fresh budgetary provisions, officials confirmed that the city’s three major public hospitals remain burdened by outstanding dues of about Rs2.20 billion from the previous fiscal year. The unpaid amount relates to supplies obtained from vendors, including medicines, disposable medical items and gases.

Suppliers have indicated that continued provision of medical supplies in the new fiscal year will depend on the settlement of pending payments, raising concerns about continuity in procurement for the public healthcare system.