Rs5b earmarked for Covid-19 crisis in Sindh

Govt reserves Rs5.1 billion for NICVD in the budget, even as Centre moves to take over hospital

KARACHI: Boosting the health sector budget from Rs120.48 billion to Rs139.18 billion, for the fiscal year 2020-21, the Sindh government has earmarked Rs5 billion to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

A major chunk of the health budget has been allocated for the establishment of infectious diseases hospitals, upgrading of hospitals and purchase of machinery and other necessary equipment for hospitals treating Covid-19 patients.

A sum of Rs6 billion has been earmarked for the establishment of 200-bed infectious diseases hospitals in Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana, while Rs1.3 billion has been allocated for the establishment of another infectious diseases facility in Mirpurkhas. Similarly, Rs1.128 billion has been allocated for the establishment an infectious diseases hospital in Shaheed Benazirabad.

Besides, Rs1 billion has been allocated for the 200-bed infectious diseases hospital in NIPA.

The provincial government will spend Rs1 billion on account of health risk allowances, the same amount on upgrading and making 22 newly established facilities functional and Rs1.5 billion on the purchase of equipment for existing healthcare facilities.

It has also decided to provide training opportunities to around 70,000 youth in light of the Covid-19 crisis.

NICVD tussle

Moreover, the provincial government allocated Rs5.1 billion for the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease - one of the three major hospitals in Karachi that continues to be the bone of contention between the Centre and the province.

With the provincial government setting aside funds for the healthcare facility, this is the first time in the country that a province and the Centre both separately allocated funds for the same institution, in a bid to lay their claim on the entity.

Other spending

Among other revenue expenditure, the government announced Rs5.1 billion for the Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Rs559.4 million for tuberculosis control, Rs5.5 billion for the nutrition programme, Rs1.2 billion for the Lady Health Workers programme, Rs1.9 billion for hepatitis control, Rs267.9 million for infant health and Rs2.3 billion for the Expanded Programme on Immunisation.

It scaled up the funds allocated for the Indus Hospital from Rs2 billion to Rs4 billion, mainly to be spent on expanding the facility.

Besides, Rs3.6 billion has been earmarked for the Institute of Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jillani, Gambat, and Rs600 million for the Jacobabad Institute of Medical Sciences.

Moreover, Rs1.7 billion has been reserved for Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Accident Emergency and Trauma Centre, Rs5.6 billion for the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Rs6.5 billion for People's Primary Healthcare Initiative, Rs500 million for the National Institute of Blood Diseases, Rs900 million for Child Life Foundation and Rs365 million for Karachi Health Care Commission. In addition to this, Rs200 million will be provided to The Kidney Centre in Karachi.

A sum of Rs431 million has further been earmarked for the treatment of cancer patients, Rs160 million for the treatment of thalassaemia patients, Rs150 million for upgrading Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital's surgical unit, Rs250 million for Thar Foundation, Rs183.6 million for the purchase of hepatitis B vaccines and Rs1 billion for HIV/AIDS treatment.