Punjab Government Allocates Rs631bn for Health Sector in Fiscal Year 2025-26

Strategic Insights -

The Punjab government has made a significant commitment to healthcare by allocating Rs631 billion for the health sector in the fiscal year 2025-26. This includes Rs450 billion for non-development and Rs181 billion for development, representing a 131% increase from the current financial year. A key feature of the budget is the establishment of the first-ever Medical District in Lahore, with a hefty budget of Rs109 billion allocated for land acquisition and infrastructure.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Punjab government has allocated Rs109 billion for the establishment of the Medical District in Lahore, which will house seven major health schemes, including a 1,000-bed Cardiac Institute, a medical university, and a State-of-the-Art Diagnostic Lab.
  • Rs79.5 billion has been earmarked for the provision of free medicines to patients in all public hospitals across the province.
  • The budget allocates Rs25 billion for the Universal Health Insurance Programme, Rs14.5 billion for the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research Centre Lahore, and Rs2.6 billion for the establishment of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology Sargodha.
  • The government has allocated Rs4 billion for the construction of burn units in Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan to ease the burden on the burn centre of Nishtar Hospital, Multan.
  • The budget allocates Rs3.6 billion to extend the scope of healthcare to children diagnosed with multiple cardiac issues under the Chief Minister's Pediatric Heart Surgery Programme.
  • Rs20 billion has been allocated for the upgrade of all Basic Health Units (BHUs) across the province.

Statistics:

  • Rs631 billion allocated for the health sector in fiscal year 2025-26.
  • 131% increase in the development budget compared to the current financial year.
  • Rs109 billion allocated for the establishment of the Medical District in Lahore.
  • Rs4 billion allocated for the construction of burn units in Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan.
  • 4,300 children underwent heart surgeries free of cost under the Chief Minister's Pediatric Heart Surgery Programme in 2024.
  • Rs20 billion allocated for the upgrade of all Basic Health Units (BHUs) across the province.

Sources:

  • "Punjab government allocates Rs631bn for health sector in fiscal year 2025-26." (Daily Times) [1]
  • "Punjab Government Announces Rs631bn Budget for Health Sector in 2025-26." (Express Tribune) [2]