'Rs90 set aside for a single citizen in health budget'

YDA accuses Balochistan govt of neglecting health sector

QUETTA: The Young Doctors Association’s (YDA) Balochistan chapter rejected the provincial budget for 2020-21, accusing the provincial government for neglecting the health department amid the prevailing pandemic.

Addressing a news conference on Wednesday, YDA President Dr Yasir Achakzai said the provincial government allocated Rs2 billion for an air ambulance but poor masses have been deprived from even the basic healthcare facilities.

“Young doctors have been performing duties in government hospitals since the outbreak of coronavirus in Balochistan but the provincial government is not serious in addressing the issues of doctors and health staff,” he said.

Dr Achakzai added that a complete lockdown was recommended in Balochistan due to the rapid spread of coronavirus but no strict measures were taken by the government. “So far more than 300 doctors have been infected by the coronavirus and from the very first day YDA is stressing upon lack of manpower in the health sector.”

The YDA pointed out that according to the allotted health budget Rs90 have been set aside for a single citizen of this country which is a joke.

“YDA Balochistan has decided to not accept the federal and provincial budgets hence governments should review their health policies,” the YDA president concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2020.