Health and education

This year too we should not expect much change because of global economic downturn caused by coronavirus pandemic

As the presentation of annual budgets is drawing closer, concerned quarters have begun to put forward their recommendations and inputs. Like several think tanks, the Sindh Social Scientists Forum has urged the federal and provincial governments to allocate at least 10% of the federal budget and 20% of the provincial budget for health, education and the social sector. The health sector both at the federal and provincial levels has come under severe pressure due to the coronavirus pandemic, so there is an urgent need to increase spending in this sector. The forum has asked the government to improve facilities at existing hospitals, open new hospitals, ensure the provision of PPE to all engaged in the fight against the pandemic. It has asked for bringing about improvements in the education sector like increasing the number of educational institutions, provision of water and sanitation facilities in all educational institutions and proper buildings for schools. These demands must get the support of both the common people and of the government.

However, we should also take into account the harsh realities. In Pakistan, over the past one decade, health has been getting less than 3% of budgetary allocations and education a little over 2%. When it comes to cutting spending, the axe usually falls on health, education, development and social sectors. In last year’s budget, spending was severely reduced in these sectors obviously due to depletion of the state coffers. When the PTI-led government took over in August 2018, it inherited an economy deep in trouble. The previous regimes had left the coffers nearly-empty and the tottering economy had to be brought back on its feet though loans from international lending agencies. It was this situation that led to the cuts in spending on health, education and the social sector. This year too we should not expect much change because of the global economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2020.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.