Govt cuts hospital funding under new austerity plan

Federal hospitals in Pakistan face massive budget cuts worth millions of rupees.

The Ministry of Finance slashed funds as part of an austerity drive. This move hits major healthcare centers hard. Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) suffers the biggest blow. Officials cut over Rs390 million from its budget. Other key hospitals lose funds too.

Polyclinic Hospital, National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM), and Federal Government (FG) Hospital all see reductions. Hospital leaders act fast. They write urgent letters to the Ministry of Health. Administrators demand quick reversal.

They urge talks with the finance ministry. Leaders push for full exemptions from these cuts. The slashes already spark big problems. PIMS warns of medicine shortages. Essential drugs now last just one month. Free medicines for patients hang in danger.

Government rules support this service, but funds dry up fast. Maintenance stalls. New medical equipment stays unpurchased. Supplies face strict buying limits. Daily operations suffer too. Hospitals scramble for fuel to run generators and vehicles. Surgical tools run low. Staff handle growing patient needs with less support.

Before these cuts, PIMS already battled a Rs1.5 billion shortfall. Now, chaos looms larger. Patients feel the pinch first. Emergency care risks delays. Basic treatments could halt without fixes. Officials highlight rising fears. Free healthcare promises weaken under pressure.

Hospital teams call for immediate aid. They stress that health services must stay strong. The nation watches closely as these cuts threaten public welfare. Ministries promise reviews, but time runs short. Quick action saves lives and services.