RAWALPINDI:
The Punjab government’s announcement to provide free medicines in government hospitals has become virtually impossible to implement in Rawalpindi’s three main government hospitals due to insufficient medical budgets. Outstanding payments to suppliers for medicines already purchased have reached Rs 1.95 billion.
According to sources, in the presence of Rs 550 million in unpaid dues for procurement of medicines in the financial year 2024-25, the outstanding debts to suppliers now stand at Rs 1.40 billion for the current year.
Holy Family Hospital faces dues of Rs 800 million, Benazir Bhutto General Hospital Rs 350 million and Rawalpindi University Hospital Rs 250 million.
It is worth mentioning that Holy Family Hospital, the largest hospital in the city with 1,052 beds and 25 operation theaters, was receiving a medical budget of Rs 600 million during the Imran Khan government, which was later reduced. For the financial year 2024-25, the hospital requested Rs 1.20 billion but received only Rs 330 million. For 2025-26, against a request of Rs1.50 billion, only Rs380 million has been released.
Similarly, in the current financial year, despite asking for Rs 2 billion for medicines, the hospital has still received only Rs 380 million.
The city’s second largest hospital, Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, received Rs 380 million for 2024-25 despite Rs 330 million in unpaid medical dues. In 2025-2026, it received Rs 400 million, while medicines worth Rs 800 million were purchased. Of the resulting deficit of 400 million rupees, 70 million rupees were paid by another official, leaving 330 million rupees unpaid. For the current financial year, a request for Rs1.25 billion was made but only Rs380 million was released.
The situation at Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital is also unsatisfactory.
Government hospitals are now unable to ensure the supply of medicines meeting the needs of patients in emergency departments, OPDs, operation theaters, intensive care units, ICU areas and wards. The shortage has created serious difficulties for citizens.
