Drug debt threatens free treatment

Funding shortfall leaves hospitals with outstanding medicine liabilities of Rs2.2b

RAWALPINDI:

Three major government hospitals in Rawalpindi have accumulated outstanding liabilities of Rs2.2 billion to medicine suppliers at the cost of free medicine facility, The Express Tribune has learned.

However, the Punjab government's release of only Rs130 million in medicine funds at the close of the financial year has left hospital administrations astonished and concerned despite its policy of providing free medicines to patients in emergency departments, outpatient clinics and wards.

During the last week of May, the provincial government released Rs60m in medicine funds for Holy Family Hospital (HFH), Rs50m for Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBGH) and Rs20m for Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital (RTH).

However, HFH currently owes pharmaceutical vendors approximately Rs900m, BBGH Rs850m and RTH Rs270m.

With the three hospitals collectively carrying liabilities of around Rs2.2b, vendors have become increasingly reluctant to continue supplying medicines, disposable medical items and medical gases on credit.

The situation has raised concerns as the Punjab Government continues to enforce its policy of providing medicines free of charge to patients attending emergency departments, outpatient clinics and hospital wards.

For the financial year 2025-26, Holy Family Hospital sought Rs1.5b for medicines, disposables and medical gases but was allocated only Rs400 million. BBGH also requested Rs1.5b but received Rs380m, while RTH at Fawara Chowk sought Rs800m and was allocated only Rs230m.

The three hospitals collectively cater to more than 10,000 patients daily through their emergency departments and outpatient clinics. In addition, they have a combined capacity of 2,580 beds across various wards, where the availability of beds for new admissions remains extremely limited.

The catchment area of these hospitals extends far beyond Rawalpindi district, serving patients from across the Rawalpindi Division as well as Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, placing an ever-growing burden on already stretched healthcare resources.