PMA urges govt to revise health budget

LAHORE:The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) expressed grave concerns over federal budget for fiscal year 2025-26, expressing disappointment over its implications for the nation's healthcare system.

The PMA (Centre) Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, in a statement issued on Thursday, informed that PMA has articulated the severe and lasting consequences these budgetary decisions will have on the health and well-being of every Pakistani. The government has chosen to inflict a significant blow to our already struggling healthcare system; we are facing a substantial 16% cut in the federal health development budget. The overall budget for the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination has been slashed from Rs54.87bn last year to a mere Rs46.10bn for the upcoming year, representing a massive reduction of Rs8.77bn. The PMA called upon the govt to reconsider these allocations and to engage in dialogue with health experts.