PMA Criticises Sindh Health Budget for Neglecting Primary Healthcare and Disease Prevention
Karachi: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has raised concerns over the Sindh government’s health budget allocation of Rs393.16 billion for the financial year 2026-27, stating that primary healthcare and disease prevention measures have not received adequate attention.
In its review of the provincial health budget, the PMA said that while significant funds continue to be allocated to selected non-government organisations, public-private partnerships, and specialised healthcare institutions, the foundational pillars of public health remain neglected.
The association stated that a substantial portion of health funding is consumed by administrative expenses, recurring costs, and salary structures rather than being directed towards preventive healthcare, vaccination programmes, and community-level health services.
The PMA said the budget reflects a strong focus on urban curative healthcare facilities, with large-scale grants allocated for specialised treatment services. While acknowledging the importance of these facilities, it emphasised that preventing diseases at the primary level is essential for building a sustainable healthcare system.
According to the association, greater investment is required in areas such as waterborne disease prevention, nutrition programmes, polio eradication, tuberculosis control, maternal health, and strengthening Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Centres (RHCs).
The PMA highlighted examples from neighbouring countries, including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Iran, where stronger primary healthcare systems and community-based health services have contributed to improved health indicators and reduced maternal and child mortality rates.
The association noted that Bangladesh’s network of community clinics and Iran’s rural Health Houses demonstrate the impact of investing in grassroots healthcare structures and trained community health workers.
The PMA urged the Sindh government to rebalance healthcare priorities by strengthening primary healthcare networks across the province instead of relying predominantly on large urban treatment facilities and specialised centres.
