LAHORE - The Punjab government has proposed an allocation of Rs53.75 billion for Health sector in the financial year 2014-15 as against Rs44.63 billion in FY2013-14, registering an increase of 20.4 per cent. Like previous years, the Punjab Health Department failed to spend budgetary allocations in FY2013-14 and they were needed to revise to Rs43.97 billion.
In the FY 2014-15, allocation for hospital services has been increased to Rs48.04 billion as against Rs42.9 billion in the outgoing fiscal year. The Department again failed to spend Rs42.9 billion and the allocation was revised to Rs39 billion.
Allocation for Health Administration witnessed considerable raise due to increase in salary bill of doctors and allied health staff. Punjab Government will provide Rs5.57 billion for Health Administration as against Rs1.59 billion in the outgoing year. As the allocation for Health Administration was insufficient due to increase in salary bill of employees, the government increased the amount from Rs1.59 billion to Rs5 billion in the revised estimates for FY2013-14. The government will provide Rs135 million for Public Health Services as against Rs139 million in the outgoing financial year. The major allocations are for purchase of medicine, repair of machinery and equipment.