BBH to get phased revamp

Health authorities consider rebuilding old structures as hospital faces budget shortfall

RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab government has planned the phased reconstruction of the deteriorating building of Rawalpindi General Hospital, now known as Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, which was established nearly 70 years ago.

The government will also undertake revamping of structures that remain in better condition.

Earlier, a Rs3.6 billion revamping project at Holy Family Hospital, the city's largest healthcare facility, was completed. Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, meanwhile, is facing a budget shortfall of Rs1.601 billion against its demand for the fiscal year 2025-26.

According to officials, Rawalpindi General Hospital, established in 1957 and renamed Benazir Bhutto General Hospital in 2008 after the former prime minister, currently has 968 beds.

Although the hospital building has undergone repairs and renovation on several occasions, concerns intensified after a large accumulation of water developed in the basement of the OPD building, causing structural damage.

During a video-link meeting, Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique directed officials to begin planning for the demolition of old and dilapidated sections of the hospital, excluding newer structures, and replace them with modern facilities under a comprehensive redevelopment plan.

He also instructed that the remaining buildings be revamped.

The minister was informed that construction of a Surgical Tower at the site of the existing administration block and a Medical Tower at the OPD block could help reduce the burden on the hospital.

Officials said the proposed plan could also accommodate a spacious parking area and a trauma centre. With proper expansion and planning, the hospital's existing bed capacity of 968 could also be increased.

Hospital records show that for the fiscal year 2025-26, the institution sought a budget of Rs2.493 billion. However, by the final stage of the fiscal year, only Rs892.12 million had been released, leaving a shortfall of Rs1.601 billion.

Despite financial constraints, the hospital continues to provide free medicines and laboratory tests in the emergency department, OPD, wards and operation theatres.

The hospital currently owes Rs1.112 billion under the heads of medicines, gases and disposable items.

It is also facing a budget shortfall of Rs1.601 billion compared to its requested allocation for medical and laboratory equipment and other operational requirements.