Health budget up by eight per cent
As part of the Rs3.45 trillion provincial budget for FY 2025-26, the government has allocated Rs326.5 billion to the health sector, marking an 8 per cent increase from the previous year's Rs302.2 billion. A significant portion of Rs146.9 billion is to be disbursed as grants-in-aid to public health institutions and medical units across the province.
Key allocations include Rs19 billion for the Sindh Institute of Urology & Transplantation (SIUT), Rs16.5 billion for the Peoples Primary Health Initiative (PPHI), and Rs10 billion for the construction of a new hospital in Larkana.
Further, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced that the government has transformed three major public healthcare institutions, including Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), the National Institute of Child Health (NICH), and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), into world-class facilities over the past 13 years.
Delivering his budget speech in the Sindh Assembly, Shah highlighted that the combined bed capacity of the institutions has increased from 2,092 to 4,041, reflecting a significant expansion in public healthcare services. He also revealed that the construction of a new 12-storey medical tower, and a seven-storey officers' ward, is nearing completion at JPMC, stating "this will make JPMC not only the largest healthcare facility in the country but also among the largest in the world." Further, the CM stated that patient visits to the three institutions have surged from 1.6 million in 2011 to over four million in the current year.
Meanwhile, highlighting advancements in cancer care, Shah said the provincial government, in partnership with the Patients Aid Foundation (PAF-JPMC), has revolutionised radiation oncology services by introducing CyberKnife, Tomotherapy, and PET-CT facilities. He noted "this is the only centre in the world providing free CyberKnife and Tomotherapy treatment regardless of nationality, religion, or ethnicity. Patients from 168 cities and 16 countries have benefited from these services at JPMC Karachi." APP
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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Health budget up by eight per cent
As part of the Rs3.45 trillion provincial budget for FY 2025-26, the government has allocated Rs326.5 billion to the health sector, marking an 8 per cent increase from the previous year's Rs302.2 billion. A significant portion of Rs146.9 billion is to be disbursed as grants-in-aid to public health institutions and medical units across the province. Key allocations include Rs19 billion for the Sindh Institute of Urology & Transplantation (SIUT), Rs16.5 billion for the Peoples Primary Health Initiative (PPHI), and Rs10 billion for the construction of a new hospital in Larkana. Further, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced that the government has transformed three major public healthcare institutions, including Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), the National Institute of Child Health (NICH), and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), into world-class facilities over the past 13 years. Delivering his budget speech in the Sindh Assembly, Shah highlighted that the combined bed capacity of the institutions has increased from 2,092 to 4,041, reflecting a significant expansion in public healthcare services. He also revealed that the construction of a new 12-storey medical tower, and a seven-storey officers' ward, is nearing completion at JPMC, stating "this will make JPMC not only the largest healthcare facility in the country but also among the largest in the world." Further, the CM stated that patient visits to the three institutions have surged from 1.6 million in 2011 to over four million in the current year. Meanwhile, highlighting advancements in cancer care, Shah said the provincial government, in partnership with the Patients Aid Foundation (PAF-JPMC), has revolutionised radiation oncology services by introducing CyberKnife, Tomotherapy, and PET-CT facilities. He noted "this is the only centre in the world providing free CyberKnife and Tomotherapy treatment regardless of nationality, religion, or ethnicity. Patients from 168 cities and 16 countries have benefited from these services at JPMC Karachi." APP
Express Tribune
04-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Govt opens special children's rehab centre
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday inaugurated a rehabilitation centre for children with physical and neurological developmental challenges. The facility was established through collaboration between Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC), the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD), and the government. The inauguration event was attended by DEPD Secretary Taha Ahmed Farooqi, German Consul General Dr Rüdiger Lotz, Global Health Advisor German Leprosy and TB Relief Association (GLRA) Dr Anil Fasstino, and MALC CEO Mervyn Francis, among other notable figures. Calling the centre a beacon of hope for children with conditions such as autism and Down Syndrome, as well as other physical and neurological challenges, the CM expressed that the government's vision is to provide treatment and opportunities to these children so they may live dignified and fulfilling lives. CM Shah revealed that the centre offers a comprehensive range of services provided by specialists. These include physiotherapy to improve children's physical development, speech therapy to enhance communication, remedial therapy to support cognitive development, behavioural therapy for encouraging constructive behavior, occupational therapy focusing on daily life skills, and a sensory room to help the children with sensory processing. Further, the facility also offers a play area under professional supervision. The CM visited the center, reviewed the facilities, and met with the children. He also stated that the government has allocated 100 acres of land near the Malir Expressway for the establishment of an Inclusive City for people with special needs. The city will provide schools, rehabilitation centres, vocational training institutes, a hospital, a neuropsychiatric ward, and residential facilities, as well as a 20 acre park to offer a safe play space for children with special needs, along with a large building housing offices of various welfare organisations. The CM stated the city would become a model of accessibility and opportunity, where people with disabilities could live independently and contribute actively to society. Meanwhile, responding to a question, CM Shah stated that the provincial budget would be presented on June 13, 2025, with special attention given to the agriculture sector. Further, he urged provincial representation on the boards of K-Electric (KE), and other power distribution companies, so that Sindh's consumers may directly benefit. He also stated the government wants to run Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) and Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) under a public-private partnership model. The CM revealed that discussions with the federal government on the matter are ongoing, and while progress is being made, results will take time.
Express Tribune
04-06-2025
- Express Tribune
19 tremors in three days shake city
The port city has experienced an unusual spike in seismic activity, with 19 mild earthquakes recorded between June 1 and June 3, according to the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) of Pakistan Meteorological Department. The strongest tremor occurred on Sunday evening, measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale. Data released by the NTWC indicates that the quake struck at 5:33pm on Sunday and was the most intense of the recent seismic events. The weakest tremor, recorded in DHA City, measured 2.1 in magnitude. Officials at the Tsunami Center described the situation as unprecedented, stating that Karachi has never before experienced such a high number of localized tremors within such a short span. "There is no historical precedent for this level of seismic activity in the city," an NTWC official noted, calling the trend "highly unusual." Of the 19 recorded tremors, 11 were centered in District Malir, while others were felt in the southwestern parts of Korangi and the northeastern parts of DHA. Though minor, the frequency has stirred fear among people. Authorities have yet to determine the cause behind the sudden cluster of tremors, but monitoring efforts have been intensified. Seismologists are urging citizens to remain calm while staying alert, as further assessment continues. CM cites concern over pre-shocks While calling low-scale tremors "a good thing" due to the release of the earth's energy, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also warned of the possibility of a major earthquake, citing concerns over pre-shocks that often precede larger seismic events. "I studied earthquake engineering long ago these low-scale tremors are actually a good thing - the earth is releasing its energy," he added. Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a rehabilitation centre for children with physical and neurodevelopmental conditions in Karachi, Shah criticised the decision to evacuate inmates from prison due to the tremors.
