Health woes: Pindi dispensaries’ budget slashed by 33 per cent
Cut creates further problems for 77 dispensaries across city.
RAWALPINDI:
The city district government has cut budget allocations for dispensaries by 33 per cent, which has further deprived the people of bare medical facilities available at such centres.
The budget has been reduced from Rs3 million in 2013-14 to Rs2 million for the year 2014-15. Thousands of patients visit these dispensaries for treatment of minor diseases.
According to statistics provided by a District Health Department official, around 144,613 patients visited dispensaries for treatment last year. According to the data, there are 29 municipal corporation dispensaries and 48 district government dispensaries across the garrison city.
In 2013, around 97,085 patients visited municipal corporation dispensaries while 47,528 patients got treatment from the district government dispensaries.
“This year, we have allocated Rs2 million for the dispensaries, one million each for municipal corporation and district government dispensaries,” said an official of the finance and budget section of the District Coordination Office while requesting not to be named.
Last year, Rs3 million was allocated for the dispensaries — Rs1.5 million each for district government and municipal corporation dispensaries.
If the total amount— Rs1 million— is divided among the patients who visited municipal dispensaries last year, the government spent just Rs10.30 per patient.
Similarly, Rs21 have been spent per patient in district government dispensaries if the total Rs1 million is divided among the patients who visited these centres last year.
Similarly, Rs25,974 is the average annual funding for each dispensary, or Rs72 per day.
When contacted, District Coordination Officer Sajid Zafar Dall said that the district government was “well aware” of the importance of these dispensaries.
“We are planning a complete revival of these dispensaries. We want to equip them with modern treatment facilities to reduce the burden on allied hospitals,” he said.
While talking about the municipal dispensaries, the DCO said that after the devolution of the health department under the 18th Amendment, these dispensaries have been handed over to the provincial government. “We didn’t close them…we adjusted most staff in other institutions,” he said.
He said that the district government also upgraded 10 municipal dispensaries but they were not functional in true sense due to the staff shortage.
The DCO claimed that the cuts in budget will not mean that these dispensaries will be closed rather they will be revived by equipping them with more and modern facilities.
“We want to make them points for extended programme on immunisation, dengue and polio immunisation. These dispensaries will be equipped to treat minor diseases effectively,” Dall further claimed.
He said that work on their revival will begin in a few weeks time as a “plan has almost been finalised”.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2014.
The city district government has cut budget allocations for dispensaries by 33 per cent, which has further deprived the people of bare medical facilities available at such centres.
The budget has been reduced from Rs3 million in 2013-14 to Rs2 million for the year 2014-15. Thousands of patients visit these dispensaries for treatment of minor diseases.
According to statistics provided by a District Health Department official, around 144,613 patients visited dispensaries for treatment last year. According to the data, there are 29 municipal corporation dispensaries and 48 district government dispensaries across the garrison city.
In 2013, around 97,085 patients visited municipal corporation dispensaries while 47,528 patients got treatment from the district government dispensaries.
“This year, we have allocated Rs2 million for the dispensaries, one million each for municipal corporation and district government dispensaries,” said an official of the finance and budget section of the District Coordination Office while requesting not to be named.
Last year, Rs3 million was allocated for the dispensaries — Rs1.5 million each for district government and municipal corporation dispensaries.
If the total amount— Rs1 million— is divided among the patients who visited municipal dispensaries last year, the government spent just Rs10.30 per patient.
Similarly, Rs21 have been spent per patient in district government dispensaries if the total Rs1 million is divided among the patients who visited these centres last year.
Similarly, Rs25,974 is the average annual funding for each dispensary, or Rs72 per day.
When contacted, District Coordination Officer Sajid Zafar Dall said that the district government was “well aware” of the importance of these dispensaries.
“We are planning a complete revival of these dispensaries. We want to equip them with modern treatment facilities to reduce the burden on allied hospitals,” he said.
While talking about the municipal dispensaries, the DCO said that after the devolution of the health department under the 18th Amendment, these dispensaries have been handed over to the provincial government. “We didn’t close them…we adjusted most staff in other institutions,” he said.
He said that the district government also upgraded 10 municipal dispensaries but they were not functional in true sense due to the staff shortage.
The DCO claimed that the cuts in budget will not mean that these dispensaries will be closed rather they will be revived by equipping them with more and modern facilities.
“We want to make them points for extended programme on immunisation, dengue and polio immunisation. These dispensaries will be equipped to treat minor diseases effectively,” Dall further claimed.
He said that work on their revival will begin in a few weeks time as a “plan has almost been finalised”.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2014.