Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Increase to the tune of only Rs 40 million has been made under expenses head in the budget for the year 2016-17 in respect of Ministry of National Health Services and Coordination Division (MNHSCD) and no increase has been made in the budget of some important health projects as compared to the year 2015-16.

According to budget documents federal government has allocated over Rs 1.72 billion for Ministry of National Health in the budget for the fiscal year 2016-17. Only Rs 40 million has been increased in the budget as against the budget of outgoing year 2015-16.

Over Rs 1.40 billon have been earmarked for expenses, Rs 550 million for salary of staff and Rs 28.3 million have been allocated for Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA).

By increasing funds only Rs 1 million against the budget for 2015-16, Rs 6.5 million have been allocated for federal government dispensary FIA headquarters Islamabad and Rs 8.9 million have been earmarked for federal government dispensary military accountant general office Rawalpindi in the budget for the financial year 2016-17.

Rs 6.75 million have been allocated for National Health Information Resources Centre Islamabad by decreasing is budget to the tune of Rs 4.6 million.

Rs 13.3 million have been proposed for Airport Health Establishment Islamabad and Rs 53.3 million for Directorate of Malaria control in the budget for the year 2016-17. However no increase has been made in the budget for Pakistan Health Research Council and only Rs 332.3 million have been earmarked in the budget for the year 2016-17 which was equal to budget allocation made in the year 2015-16.

No handsome increase has been made in the budget in respect of dispensaries operating in far off areas of the country which has sparked disappointment and dismay among the employees.

National Health is an import ministry in terms of public health and it is working on several key national programs and projects in coordination with provinces.

On the other hand federal government has raised question mark on the performance of this important ministry by increasing is budget for 2016-17 to the tune of only Rs 40 million.