Federal hospitals in Pakistan are warning of rising risks of medicine shortages after recent hospital funding cuts under an ongoing austerity drive, officials and sources said on Thursday.
According to internal communications and hospital administration concerns, major public healthcare institutions have already started feeling the impact of reduced allocations. The situation has raised alarm over the availability of essential medicines, diagnostic supplies, and emergency services.
Sources said the Ministry of Finance implemented budget reductions across several federal hospitals as part of wider spending controls. The move has affected key institutions, including the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), which reportedly faced cuts of hundreds of millions of rupees.
Hospital officials have now warned that the reduced funding could directly disrupt patient care if the situation continues. They say the pressure is already visible in procurement delays and limited stock replenishment.
At PIMS and other major hospitals, administrators have raised concerns over the supply of essential drugs used in emergency wards and chronic disease treatment. They also fear fuel shortages for generators and maintenance services, which are critical to uninterrupted operations.
Officials say some hospitals currently hold only a limited stock of medicines, enough for a short period. They warn that if fresh supplies are not released on time, free medicine programs for patients may also be affected.
Hospital administrations have formally written to health authorities, urging immediate intervention. They asked Health and Finance ministries to review cuts and exempt hospitals from austerity.
The administration also highlighted that many federal hospitals were already operating under financial pressure before the latest reductions. Staff shortages, rising patient loads, and delayed equipment upgrades have added to the strain.
Experts warn hospital funding cuts may raise risks for patients using free public treatment. They say uninterrupted funding is essential to maintain emergency care and critical medical services.
For now, hospital officials say they are closely monitoring stock levels while waiting for the government’s response. However, uncertainty continues to grow among healthcare staff and patients.
