Poly Clinic budget ‘insufficient’

ISLAMABAD: The budget allocation for Poly Clinic hospital this year is one third of what it had demanded, raising concerns about adequate health facilities for patients.

Also known as Federal Government Services Hospital (FGSH), Poly Clinic is the second largest government hospital in Islamabad.

About Rs734 million has been allocated, whereas approximately Rs1.12 billion was demanded by hospital management, according to official documents obtained by The Express Tribune.

Considering inflation and the large number of patients visiting Poly Clinic every day, they had demanded of the ministry to increase the budget by at least 54 percent as compared to last year’s allocation of Rs725 million.

However, the ministry increased allocation by only five percent, about Rs9 million.

Sharif Astori, official spokesman, Poly Clinic, was not satisfied with the 2010-11 budget allocation for the hospital.

“Every year there is a phenomenal increase in the prices of medicines, furniture, equipment, and transportation costs, among other things. Therefore the amount allocated to us does not meet our requirement,” he said.

He stressed the need for more doctors and paramedical staff to cater to the increasing number of patients. “It becomes difficult for us to overcome all these issues with such limited funds,” Astori said, adding that a lack of space at the hospital is also a problem.

However, he added that the Ministry of Health did come to the aid of Poly Clinic whenever the hospital faced a financial crunch.

Rashid Jumma, director general Ministry of Health, said the budget allocation for 2010-11 to the health sector was insufficient.

“The Ministry of Health has increased the budget of all hospitals by about 10 percent, which obviously is not sufficient considering increasing inflation in the country,” he said.

The ministry has particularly focused on increase in the amount allocated for drugs and medicines.

“The hospital management should not get discouraged over this year’s budget allocation because soon they will be getting a new wing with new equipment, furniture, operation theatres and staff.

For equipment for dental surgery, X-ray machines and ultrasound machine, among others, the hospital demanded Rs30 million, but was allocated only Rs2.5 million, which is less than last year’s Rs3 million.

Taking into account the increase in terrorist activities, Poly Clinic needed more ambulances, said a senior hospital official.

“Currently there are only 14 ambulances; out of these, six are not in good condition and we require 20 ambulances,” he said.

“To provide better facilities to our patients around the clock, we requested Rs30 million for ambulances but got only Rs1000, whereas last year Rs20 million was allocated for this purpose,” he said.

For the purchase of drugs and medicines, Poly Clinic had asked for Rs466 million, but were allocated Rs301 million, which is Rs2 million more than last year.

Every day, the prices of drugs are increasing and it is difficult for the hospital management to purchase the required amount with the funds allocated this year, he said.

“This ultimately results in high demand and low supply, though we make all efforts to provide medicine to all the patients,” he added.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2010.