The Punjab government has allocated an amount of Rs 51.808 billion in provincial budget 2017-18 for health and population planning sectors. As per budget document, for Primary & Secondary Healthcare (P&HS), the total development outlay for 2017-18 is Rs 25.048 billion and the total number of schemes is 161 (87 ongoing, 73 new and 1 ODP). Out of these schemes, 86 schemes are expected to be completed.
Including ODP, the revenue component of P&SH is 81%, while major targets and new initiatives include: revamping of all DHQ hospitals in Punjab; revamping of all THQ hospitals in Punjab; molecular base disease surveillance; strengthening of district health authorities; communicable disease control program; establishment of Punjab health information system; purchase of mobile health units; focusing on preventive and promotive care; efforts to initiate and effectively implement programmes to control infectious diseases.
Moreover, existing prevention and control programmes - including those for HIV/AIDS, TB, hepatitis and other infectious diseases will be further strengthened. The ODP scheme focused on hepatitis prevention and treatment program initiated; addressing non-communicable diseases; enhancement of institutional capacity and improvement in regulations through the role of autonomous agencies such as Punjab Public Health Agency and Punjab Public Hospital Agency.
Furthermore, to improve key nutritional indicators across 36 districts of Punjab, a Multi-Sectoral Nutrition centre has been established in P&DD, utilizing the capacity of existing stakeholder institutions - including health, education, population, wash, food, agriculture, fisheries and livestock. Currently, the centre is in the process of initiating and implementing the CM Stunting Reduction Strategy in 11 districts of Southern Punjab.
For Specialised Health & Medical Education (SH&ME) in 2017-18, the total number of schemes add up to 89 (48 ongoing, 37 new and 4 ODP). Including ODP, the revenue portion stands at 73%, and the total development outlay stands at Rs 25.26 billion (Rs 15.06 billion ADP and Rs 10.20 billion ODP).
It is expected that 40 schemes will be completed next year (2017-18), and the main focus would remain on strengthening/improvement of emergencies of tertiary care hospital in Punjab; purchase of ventilators & ventilated beds with basic ICU equipment; establishment of mother & child hospital Murree, purchase of MRI for radiology department at Nishtar Hospital Multan and allied Hospital Faisalabad; revamping of four tertiary hospitals and establishment of medical stores for supply chain of medicines in Punjab; establishment of Hepatitis Clinics & GI departments in tertiary hospitals; establishment of medical education directorate in Lahore; purchase of CMRI at Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology.
With regards to ODP, a new scheme of 'Establishment of Hospitals on PPP Mode' has been initiated, while Health Insurance Programme run by PHIMC and PKLI, will continue.
For Population Welfare Department, the total number of schemes add up to 8 (3 ongoing, 4 new, 1 ODP), and the total development outlay stands at Rs 1.5 billion (Rs 1.25 billion ADP and Rs 0.25 billion ODP). New initiatives include: the Multi-Sectoral Programme; construction of RTI in Sahiwal; strengthening of RTI Faisalabad; construction of Population Welfare House, Punjab (2017-2020).
Additionally, with the set-up of Punjab Population Innovation Fund (PPIF) completed, Population Welfare Department will be focused in 2017-18, on incubating and propelling population curtailing initiatives, through the established entity. The official sources said the Punjab government is committed to its vision of 'providing universal health care and building a healthy community - with easy access to affordable and quality healthcare'.
The departments for Primary & Secondary Healthcare (P&SH), Specialised Healthcare & Medical Education (SH&ME), and Population Welfare Department (PWD) are focused towards delivering quality healthcare - through an efficient and effective service delivery system, that is equally accessible, equitable, affordable and sustainable. The guiding principles that underpin Punjab's Health policy include universal health coverage, good governance, efficient allocation of resources, and strong institutional capacity, the sources added. It may be added that in ADP 2016-17, a total of 373 schemes for P&SH, SH&ME and PWD were included with an allocation of Rs 52.17 billion. Of this amount, 21% was reserved for capital and 79% for the revenue portion.