The Board of Governor of the University of Health Sciences (UHS) has approved deficit budget of Rs 303 million for the financial year 2008-09. The budget was approved at the Board's 16th meeting held on Monday with the former Chief Justice, Sheikh Riaz Ahmed in chair.
Professor Jawad Sajid, Dr Dilwar Ali Khan, the Vice Chancellor, UHS, Professor Malik Hussain Mubbashar, Punjab Secretary health, Anwar A Khan and Punjab Special Secretary Finance Javed Ahmed were present in the meeting. The meeting was informed that the total estimated receipts of the university amount to Rs 191.831 million whereas the total expenditure for the financial year is estimated at Rs 303.587 million.
The deficit of Rs 111.756 million will be met from the grants to be given by the provincial government. According to the budget estimates, Rs 90 million has been earmarked for the employees related expenses. Out of it, Rs 37.707 million has been reserved for vacant posts to be filled in the year 2008-09.
It also includes 20 percent increase in the basic pay and all other fringe benefits announced by the government. A sum of Rs 39.317 million has been allocated for operating expenses that include utilities: Rs 15.650 million, travel and transportation: Rs 3.407 million, communication: Rs 2.710 million and stationery printing, publication, advertisement and Rs 16.100 million against miscellaneous.
An amount of Rs 18.900 has been made available for the scholarships that include grants of fellowship to MSc, MPhil, and PhD students of basic science departments, nursing and biomedical engineering. Cash prizes will also be awarded to the toppers of different professional examination of MBBS and BDS.
Further, an amount of Rs 13 million has been allocated for the purchase of chemicals, reagents glassware and specialised kits for hi-tech labs, whereas Rs 10 million for purchase of machinery and equipment. Moreover, Rs 90 million has been earmarked for civil works that includes Rs 70 million for the development of UHS new campus at Kala Shah Kaku and Rs 20 million for construction of hostel facilities.
The university has also allocated Rs 20 million to conduct examinations, Rs 5 million for undertaking research of special nature by scholars of the UHS and affiliated institutes. Rs 1 million will be spent on the professional audit of all medical institutes in the province.
The VC apprised the board members of the performances and progress of the university said indigenous research was being carried out on the campus on various disease such as asthma, diabetes, TB, typhoid, infertility, environmental pollution, cancer, genetic disorders, consanguinity, hepatitis, and developmental abnormalities.
Also he said that curricula had been revised in the light of modern trends involving integrated teaching, problem-based learning and community oriented medical education. He further said that clinical scenario based questions had been introduced in various professional examinations and the results were being declared within 72 hours of the conclusion of examination.