Senate panel dismayed over pathetic performance of government hospitals

A parliamentary panel on Thursday expressed dismay over pathetic performance of public sector hospitals with exorbitant laboratory test fee despite tall claims of the government of ensuring the 'cheapest and best' medical treatment.

The issue was raised by Senator Javed Abbasi of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Health and Regulations.

He questioned when that glorious time would come when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) claim of turning the public sector hospitals into model hospitals would turn into a reality. He said that in the given scenario, there is no hope that the nation would ever see that day when state-run hospitals would be provided cheap and best medical treatment to poor masses.

The committee was told that all-out efforts are being made to ensure best and affordable medical treatment at government hospitals as a poor man cannot afford to get treatment at a private hospital.

The committee was given a briefing on the working, functions and performance of National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, budget allocation of the institute, funding from national and international donors, income generated and total expenditure under different heads.

The meeting with Senator Khushbakht Shujaat in the chair was informed that in 2018-19, Rs 527.240 million grant-in-aid was received from government and the proposed budget for 2019-20 is Rs 535.759 million.