Health is devolved, but still gets Rs22b

Includes allocation for various federal-run programmes. PHOTO: NNI

The Expanded Programme on Immunisation, (EPI) which provides immunisation against seven killer diseases – childhood tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, whooping cough, neonatal tetanus, measles and hepatitis B – along with Control of Diarrhoeal Disease, has been allocated Rs2.8 billion for 2012-13. The total cost of the programme is Rs9.3 billion.

The HIV/AIDS control programme has been allocated Rs247 million for fiscal 2012-13. The ‘Roll Back Malaria Control Programme’ has been allocated Rs124 million.

Other allocations include Rs124 million for the national TB control programme, Rs247 million for the national programme for prevention and control of blindness, Rs37 million for the programme for prevention and control of the avian pandemic influenza, Rs684 million for the Prime Minister’s Programme for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis, Rs2.4 billion for the National Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Programme  and Rs1.1 billion for the National Program for Family Planning and Primary Health Care.

Under the science and technological research division, Rs10 million has been allocated for health-related projects including Rs2 million for the development of DNA-based vaccine against hepatitis C, CAMB, and Rs1 million for the production of allergy vaccines.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2012.