Public hospital funding

cutting services would create a healthcare crisis in Islamabad, Lahore and surrounding areas of Punjab and K-P

The Finance Division’s shocking decision to block funding for five public sector hospitals may well be the definition of a government failing to justify its existence. The provision of healthcare is among the key responsibilities of any government, and the claims that the Finance Division’s arms are tied by the IMF is astounding.

Budget managers say that the deal with the IMF only allows extra spending in response to a “severer national disaster”. Taking some of the country’s biggest hospitals offline, even partially, would be nothing short of a man-made disaster that will affect thousands of people. Pims, Polyclinic and Shaikh Zayed Hospital are among the biggest public hospitals in Islamabad and Lahore, and cutting services would create a healthcare crisis, not just in these cities, but even in surrounding areas of Punjab and K-P — many poor patients from distant towns and villages depend on Pims and Sheikh Zayed for advanced care. In addition, the funding cuts will also hit smaller facilities, such as basic health units, meaning that even basic services will require people to travel great distances.

News reports suggest that pay will be withheld for several employees, meaning the hospitals will lose staff — nurses at Pims are already on strike. They will also not be able to restock medicine, tests and other required materials, such as radiology films. Supply and staff shortages will almost certainly decommission emergency departments, while some advanced care may also have to be reduced or rationed.

While IMF officials are used to being criticised — sometimes unfairly — we strongly doubt the agency wants to be painted as the reason that thousands of the poorest Pakistanis are turned away by hospitals. That is even more heartless than the image its worst critics can paint. Alternatively, if there were ever a reason for Pakistani officials to challenge an IMF condition, this is it. Unwillingness to do so is the definition of spineless.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2023.

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