Govt releases Rs22b to settle hospitals' dues
According to a notification issued by the Punjab Finance Department, a total of Rs491.783 million has been allocated to four hospitals in Rawalpindi as part of this payment. These hospitals had failed to clear contractors' dues for 19 years, resulting in disruptions in the supply of essential medicines.
Contractors had stopped providing medicines to public hospitals due to non-payment, leading to shortages that severely impacted patient care. The situation escalated in Lahore, where patients at government hospitals were reportedly deprived of basic medicines.
Following public outcry, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took notice and was informed that outstanding dues worth billions had not been cleared since 2005.
In response, the chief minister directed the Punjab Finance Department to release the funds in phases.
As part of the first tranche, Holy Family Hospital has received Rs62.993 million, Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital Rs91.43 million, Benazir Bhutto General Hospital Rs43.983 million, and Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology Rs293.377 million.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
6 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Flood waters: Punjab CM's message on ‘World Drowning Prevention Day'
LAHORE: Terming the recent drowning of several people in flood waters as extremely painful and disturbing, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz said that millions of people lose their lives worldwide every year due to not taking the risk of drowning seriously. In her message on 'World Drowning Prevention Day' she said this day raises awareness on taking precautions. She highlighted, 'Water is a symbol of life, but if not taken seriously, it can also cause death. Prevention of drowning in canals, rivers, flood drains or sea is possible only with caution.' She underscored, 'There is a ban on bathing in canals, lakes and rivers throughout Punjab. Warning, sign system and monitoring are being ensured for effective ban on bathing.' She added, 'Rescue 1122 teams are fully mobilized to save public from drowning.' She appealed to the parents to prevent children from bathing in flooded drains, canals and rivers. She flagged, 'Keep in mind alerts of Meteorological Department and Administration to avoid going to dangerous areas.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
04-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Hospital MS, CEO held on CM's order
The chief executive officer of Pakpattan district health authority and medical superintendent of DHQ hospital were arrested for criminal negligence on Friday after patients and attendants complained to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif during her surprise visit to the healthcare facility about mismanagement, negligence and lack of basic facilities. The chief minister inspected various wards of the district headquarters hospital and interacted with patients and their families. According to an official statement, the patients and attendants voiced serious complaints about mismanagement, negligence and lack of basic facilities. Despite the availability of medicines in the hospital store, patients were reportedly being forced to buy them from outside due to collusion between the pharmacy and external suppliers. The MS and other officials attempted to conceal the facts, as per the statement. In light of the findings of an inquiry, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took immediate and strict action. First information reports (FIRs) were registered against Pakpattan District Health Authority CEO Dr Sohail Asghar and DHQ Hospital MS Dr Adnan Ghaffar for criminal negligence and both were taken into custody by the police. A new MS from Sahiwal was appointed to head the hospital. Following complaints of overcharging for parking, the CM ordered the arrest of the contractor and in-charge. Due to collusion with private laboratories, three technicians were dismissed and three labs sealed. The Pakpattan deputy commissioner was also ordered to relinquish the charge immediately. The chief minister ordered a complete audit of the hospital equipment. Patients lodged a barrage of complaints regarding being forced to purchase medicines from outside, despite the hospital store having adequate stock. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed strong displeasure over the fact that air conditioners were functioning in administrative offices and not in the wards. On the occasion, the chief minister ordered the implementation of the Code Red and Blue emergency response systems in all government hospitals across Punjab. She directed the authorities concerned to take strict measures to ban the use of mobile phones by doctors and paramedical staff during duty hours for ensuring uninterrupted patient care. The chief minister ordered the introduction of a pager system to enhance internal communication in the hospitals. She ordered that all ongoing inquiries related to negligence and mismanagement in public sector hospitals should be concluded within one week. The chief minister inspected various hospital wards, medicine store and the laboratory. She enquired from patients about their condition and treatment. She also asked the patients and their attendants in the hospital's waiting area about the availability of medicines and the quality of treatment. Despite medicines being available in the hospital's medical store, patients complained that prescriptions were being written in a way that forced them to purchase medicines from pharmacies outside the premises. Expressing frustration, the chief minister remarked, "We are allocating Rs100 billion for medicines then why are the people not receiving them?" She was particularly angered by the absence of public notices about the availability of free medication in the hospital. She added, "All it takes is a single round to witness the ground reality. Ninety per cent of patients here are complaining that they are forced to buy medicines externally." CM Maryam Nawaz noted that vital equipment and machinery were lying packed in storage, unused and uninstalled. She criticised the lack of commitment, stating that those who refused to work in hospitals and public institutions were the real culprits of the nation. There was no shortage of doctors and nurses, only a lack of empathy, she asserted. She said, "Weapons aren't the only tools of murder, negligence can be deadly too." According to the inquiry report, the medical superintendent of the hospital had failed to fulfil his administrative responsibilities. Consultant doctors were not giving sufficient time to patient care. Necessary equipment was available in the store but had not been made functional. It revealed that delays in treatment were primarily caused by indifference shown by consultants, doctors and the staff. Specialist doctors did not conduct night rounds. Paediatric incubators were present but non-functional.
Express Tribune
29-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Govt hospitals to stop accepting health card
The Punjab government has informed the administrations of government hospitals in the province that no health card claim will be accepted after Monday. The hospital administrations across the province have been instructed to submit their claims by June 30. However, Punjab Specialised Healthcare Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique declared in a statement that the government had recently paid Rs22 billion for medicines provided in its hospitals during the past five years and the health insurance programme for the people would continue. He said the discontinuation of the Sehat Card in government hospitals would not have any impact on providing free treatment to the people. The minister said the decision to limit the Sehat Card to private hospitals had been taken for the benefit of the people and sustainability of the healthcare system. He said the shortage of funds for the health insurance programme in government hospitals would be met by the Specialised healthcare and medical education department.
