Punjab sets Rs500.62bn health budget for FY 2026-27

LAHORE – The Punjab government has proposed an allocation of Rs500.62 billion for the health sector in the fiscal year 2026-27, accounting for more than 10 percent of the total provincial budget. The official documents showed that the proposed budget includes Rs424.32 billion under non-development expenditures and Rs76.30 billion for development spending. Officials said the allocation reflects continued efforts to strengthen the province’s healthcare system through the expansion of hospitals, specialised treatment facilities, and improved primary healthcare services. Major ongoing projects include the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research, being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs75 billion, for which Rs20 billion has been proposed in the upcoming fiscal year. In the current financial year, significant investments have been made in healthcare infrastructure, including Rs28.94 billion for projects such as the Jinnah and Nawaz Sharif Institutes of Cardiology in Lahore and Sargodha, along with modern medical equipment installations. The Punjab Institute of Mental Health Lahore has undergone rehabilitation and upgradation work worth Rs2.45 billion, while Nishtar Hospital Multan’s emergency and outpatient departments have been upgraded at a cost of Rs5 billion. Under the Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic initiative, launched at a cost of Rs21 billion in FY 2025-26, a total of 2,508 Basic Health Units (BHUs) and 115 Rural Health Centres (RHCs) have been outsourced to improve service delivery. The programme also includes recruitment of thousands of Lady Health Workers and Health Inspectors, with overall expenditure exceeding Rs12.58 billion. The Clinic-on-Wheels programme has provided healthcare services to over 30.7 million patients at a cost of Rs3.50 billion, while Rs3.85 billion has been proposed for the next fiscal year. Two air ambulances operating in the province have so far facilitated treatment for 270 patients. Officials further said Rs8.66 bi