Sindh spent over Rs6b on Covid-19 in three months
One-third of funds used for setting up infectious diseases hospital in NIPA
A Reuters file image.
HYDERABAD:
The fight against Covid-19 in Sindh has consumed more than Rs6.1 billion of the provincial government's funds in around three months.
The government had released Rs4.99 billion as special grants and another Rs1.12 billion for the Coronavirus Emergency Fund till the first week of June to battle the virus.
Almost one-third of these funds were spent on the establishment of a 200-bed infectious diseases hospital near NIPA in Karachi. The hospital, for which Rs1.99 billion were released on May 20, is being set up by the DOW University of Health Sciences (DUHS).
Emergency fund
From funds released on account of the emergency fund, slightly above Rs600 million have been spent on the procurement of coronavirus testing and viral transport medium kits. The government spent Rs425 million from April 22 to May 19 on the purchase of testing kits and Rs177.224 million on VTM kits. Covid-19 rapid testing devices, along with required software, were bought for Rs31.73 million.
On the other hand, despite the repeated demands of health workers, especially those working in the public sector health facilities, the government's procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) has remained modestly low. The details of the expenditures do not show any purchase of PPE after April 20, when the sum spent on safety kits added to at Rs32.34 million.
The provincial government also released Rs133.94 million for setting up a field isolation centre at the Expo Centre in Karachi and Rs30 million for the isolation centre at PAF Museum. It also procured miscellaneous equipment.
Special grants
From special grants, the government allocated Rs99.55 million for the establishment of two isolation centres, including a 40-bed facility at DUHS' Ojha campus and a 50-bed facility in Gulistan-e-Johar, and Rs1.99 billion for an infectious diseases hospital near NIPA. These projects are to be managed by the DUHS.
Besides, the government released Rs500 million for Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital, Lyari General Hospital, KMC Hospital, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Peoples Medical University, Nawabshah, Chandka Medical College and Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College. Moreover, South City Hospital, Liaquat National Hospital, Dr Ziauddin Hospital, Altamash General Hospital and Patel Hospital received Rs100 million on May 18, while the government paid Rs20 million to Aga Khan University Hospital for the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
Two NGOs have been provided Rs131.7 million to establish hospitals in Larkana and Thatta districts as well, while the HIS has been tasked with establishing two 60-bed hospitals in Rato Dero and Dokri talukas of Larkana at a cost of Rs67.7 million.
Similarly, the Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation has received Rs64 million for establishing a 100-bed critical care unit in Thatta district. The Syed Abdullah Shah Institute Of Medical Sciences also received Rs125 million on May 11.
Dr Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research at the University of Karachi was provided Rs58.28 million for conducting free virus tests. The university's International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences was also given Rs25.5 million.
Apart from this, the Hyderabad health services director was given Rs100 million, Karachi health services director Rs94.25 million, health department secretariat Rs50 million and district health officers in all of Sindh's districts Rs69 million.
A sum of Rs1.08 billion was provided to the deputy commissioners (DC) of all the districts in the province for ration distribution among the needy.
The Indus Hospital in Karachi received a cash grant of Rs300 million and the DCs of Malir, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Shikarpur, Larkana and Jamshoro received Rs50 million, Rs90 million, Rs30 million, R11.7 million and Rs5 million, respectively.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2020.
The fight against Covid-19 in Sindh has consumed more than Rs6.1 billion of the provincial government's funds in around three months.
The government had released Rs4.99 billion as special grants and another Rs1.12 billion for the Coronavirus Emergency Fund till the first week of June to battle the virus.
Almost one-third of these funds were spent on the establishment of a 200-bed infectious diseases hospital near NIPA in Karachi. The hospital, for which Rs1.99 billion were released on May 20, is being set up by the DOW University of Health Sciences (DUHS).
Emergency fund
From funds released on account of the emergency fund, slightly above Rs600 million have been spent on the procurement of coronavirus testing and viral transport medium kits. The government spent Rs425 million from April 22 to May 19 on the purchase of testing kits and Rs177.224 million on VTM kits. Covid-19 rapid testing devices, along with required software, were bought for Rs31.73 million.
On the other hand, despite the repeated demands of health workers, especially those working in the public sector health facilities, the government's procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) has remained modestly low. The details of the expenditures do not show any purchase of PPE after April 20, when the sum spent on safety kits added to at Rs32.34 million.
The provincial government also released Rs133.94 million for setting up a field isolation centre at the Expo Centre in Karachi and Rs30 million for the isolation centre at PAF Museum. It also procured miscellaneous equipment.
Special grants
From special grants, the government allocated Rs99.55 million for the establishment of two isolation centres, including a 40-bed facility at DUHS' Ojha campus and a 50-bed facility in Gulistan-e-Johar, and Rs1.99 billion for an infectious diseases hospital near NIPA. These projects are to be managed by the DUHS.
Besides, the government released Rs500 million for Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital, Lyari General Hospital, KMC Hospital, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Peoples Medical University, Nawabshah, Chandka Medical College and Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College. Moreover, South City Hospital, Liaquat National Hospital, Dr Ziauddin Hospital, Altamash General Hospital and Patel Hospital received Rs100 million on May 18, while the government paid Rs20 million to Aga Khan University Hospital for the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
Two NGOs have been provided Rs131.7 million to establish hospitals in Larkana and Thatta districts as well, while the HIS has been tasked with establishing two 60-bed hospitals in Rato Dero and Dokri talukas of Larkana at a cost of Rs67.7 million.
Similarly, the Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation has received Rs64 million for establishing a 100-bed critical care unit in Thatta district. The Syed Abdullah Shah Institute Of Medical Sciences also received Rs125 million on May 11.
Dr Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research at the University of Karachi was provided Rs58.28 million for conducting free virus tests. The university's International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences was also given Rs25.5 million.
Apart from this, the Hyderabad health services director was given Rs100 million, Karachi health services director Rs94.25 million, health department secretariat Rs50 million and district health officers in all of Sindh's districts Rs69 million.
A sum of Rs1.08 billion was provided to the deputy commissioners (DC) of all the districts in the province for ration distribution among the needy.
The Indus Hospital in Karachi received a cash grant of Rs300 million and the DCs of Malir, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Shikarpur, Larkana and Jamshoro received Rs50 million, Rs90 million, Rs30 million, R11.7 million and Rs5 million, respectively.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2020.