A recent report by Dawn News said that Pakistan's health ministry had requested the finance ministry to release a supplementary grant of Rs 11 billion for the optimum functioning of hospitals, organizations and related departments of the health ministry. But the request was denied stating that such an amount can only be released in case of an emergency.
Following this development, according to the report, five medical institutions are potentially facing a shutdown. The affected healthcare facilities include PIMS (Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences), Polyclinic Islamabad, Federal General Hospital, National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM), several dispensaries, basic health units, and ancillary departments under the health ministry in the capital. In Lahore Shaikh Zayed Hospital complex, dependent on federal health ministry funding, is also caught in the financial turmoil.
Screenshot of PIMS hospital
© X (Former Twitter)/
Shortage of Essential Medical Equipment
As Sputnik India has learned, one of the primary issues contributing to this crisis is the inadequate allocation of funds from the government over the years, leaving these hospitals struggling to meet their operational needs.
According to an Islamabad based senior doctor, who works at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, the situation is not new.
"The situation is true, but not to the extent implicated. It is an everyday scenario for us, so there is nothing new here. In my case there is no issue with the salary. As far as I know the nurses on strike have some issues with the terms of their job, so there might be some smoke behind the fire there. But working at PIMS has always had its challenges. The shortage of medication, radiology films is an ongoing issue, but nothing that has happened just now," the doctor told Sputnik India on the condition of anonymity.
Recently the financial strain on these hospitals has become increasingly evident, impacting their ability to maintain adequate staffing levels, procure essential medical supplies, and ensure the smooth functioning of critical departments.
People who were injured in the clashes between police and supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan are treated at a hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan, Thursday, May 11, 2023.
© AP Photo / Muhammad Sajjad
The reports suggest that radiology tests are being refused to patients because films are not available, and medicines are being denied as the tender amount has not been paid to companies.
Compromised Patient’s Care
Meanwhile, doctors, nurses, and support staff are facing heightened workloads, exacerbating the stress on an already overburdened healthcare system. Salaries of several employees have been reportedly halted, sparking protests among nurses at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for over a week. The situation is made worse by the imminent shutdown of hospital labs due to depleting testing kit stocks.
The crisis affects the hospital staff, but it is also the sick patients who have to bear the brunt of this financial turmoil.
One report indicates delayed and canceled surgeries, shortages of vital medications, and compromised patient care. The vulnerable population that relies on public hospitals for affordable healthcare is particularly affected, facing the prospect of increased health risks due to the deteriorating conditions.
Women lie on beds in the cardiac ward of a hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Pakistan has considerable control over infectious diseases but now struggles against cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer as causes of early deaths, according to a new study published Thursday.
© AP Photo / Fareed Khan
The ministry’s finance division’s refusal of Rs 11 billion to these five hospitals could trigger a healthcare disaster, leading to serious shortages of medicines, testing kits, X-ray films, and other critical supplies.
The financial crunch may also cause a severe shortage of medical staff, if the salaries for doctors, nurses, and other personnel are terminated in the coming months.
Sustainable Solutions and Adequate Financing
Pakistan ranked 154th among 195 countries in terms of healthcare access and quality index, according to a recent Lancet study.
According to the PIMS doctor, the crisis highlights systemic challenges within the healthcare infrastructure that have long been neglected.
“Advocates for healthcare reform say that a sustainable and concrete financial framework is needed to ensure the functioning of public hospitals, which serve as a lifeline for a significant portion of the population. But when will these reforms take place, no one knows," he said.
Meanwhile, the government officials are under mounting pressure to address the situation promptly, with calls for increased budget allocations to healthcare. Stakeholders emphasize the need for a comprehensive and long-term strategy that not only addresses the immediate financial woes, but also establishes a framework to prevent such crises in the future.
Nevertheless, the current predicament serves as a reminder of the importance of a well-funded and resilient healthcare system. As the authorities grapple with finding a solution, the fate of these public hospitals hangs in the balance, with the well-being of countless patients dependent on an effective intervention.