Healthcare gets major funding boost

The Punjab government has allocated budgetary provisions for major Rawalpindi government hospitals and nursing colleges besides Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) in the Budget 2026–27, with the financial package set to come into effect from July 1 following final approval.

The three major public sector hospitals in the city—Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBGH), Holy Family Hospital (HFH), and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital (RTH)—are collectively facing outstanding dues of approximately Rs2.20 billion owed to medical suppliers for medicines, disposables, and gases ahead of the new fiscal year.

Under the proposed allocations, the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology has been assigned Rs2.5722b, while HFH has been allocated Rs2.8854b, making it the largest share among city hospitals. RTH has been allocated Rs1.1316b, whereas BBGH will receive Rs1.8186b.

For medical education and allied institutions, RMU has been allocated Rs832 million, while the College of Nursing at BBGH will receive Rs92m.

Specialised healthcare centres have also been included in the budgetary framework. The Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Centre, Sihala Murree, has been allocated Rs565.3m, while the Blood Transfusion Services at HFH will receive Rs34m.

The same service at RTH has been allocated Rs125m, and Rs49.11m has been earmarked for the Blood Transfusion Services at Syed Muhammad Hussain General Hospital, Sihala Murree. Separately, Syed Muhammad Hussain General Hospital, Sihala Murree, has been allocated Rs475.6m under the new financial plan.

Despite the fresh allocations, officials confirmed that the three major hospitals are currently burdened with unpaid dues amounting to Rs2.20b from the previous fiscal year 2025–26. The outstanding liabilities relate to supplies procured from vendors, including medicines, disposable medical items, and gases.

Suppliers have reportedly made it clear that the continuation of medical supplies for the new fiscal year will depend on the clearance of pending payments, raising concerns over procurement continuity in the public healthcare system.