KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has expressed serious concerns over the Sindh government's health budget of Rs393.16 billion for the financial year 2026-27, stating that despite the large allocation, primary healthcare and disease prevention have been largely neglected.
In a statement issued on Thursday, PMA Secretary General Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro said that while the provincial government had allocated substantial funds to selected non-governmental organizations (NGOs), public-private partnerships, and autonomous healthcare institutions, insufficient attention had been given to strengthening the province's primary healthcare system.
According to the PMA, a significant portion of the health budget continues to be consumed by administrative expenses, salaries, and operational costs, leaving limited resources for preventive healthcare services, vaccination programs, disease control initiatives, and community-based health interventions.
The association noted that the budget heavily favors tertiary and specialized healthcare facilities, particularly in urban centers, through large grants for curative treatment services. While acknowledging the important role of specialized institutions, PMA argued that focusing primarily on treatment rather than prevention is neither sustainable nor cost-effective.
Dr. Shoro said that public health challenges such as waterborne diseases, malnutrition, tuberculosis, polio, and maternal and child health issues require greater investment in preventive measures and early intervention at the community level.
The PMA cited examples from countries including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Iran, where sustained investment in primary healthcare systems and preventive services has led to significant improvements in public health indicators, including reductions in maternal and child mortality rates.
The association expressed concern that the extensive network of Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Centres (RHCs) across Sindh remains underfunded and inadequately equipped despite serving as the first point of contact for millions of residents.
The PMA urged the Sindh government to review its healthcare spending priorities and allocate greater resources to strengthening primary healthcare facilities, improving medicine availability, upgrading diagnostic services, and expanding disease prevention programs.
It further called on the government to ensure that public funds are utilized efficiently to improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots level and reduce the growing burden on tertiary care hospitals.
The association maintained that a strong preventive healthcare system is essential for achieving sustainable health outcomes and called upon the Chief Minister and health authorities to adopt a more balanced approach that prioritizes both prevention and treatment.
