Punjab Finance Department released a very little amount for public hospitals contrary to the allocated Rs53 billion for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2021-22, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The Punjab government released only Rs1.50 billion to run the 23 public hospitals.

In Lahore, the development work has been going on 23 projects worth over Rs53 billion.

As per details, Fatima Jinnah Hospital in Jubilee Town got Rs340 million, Children Hospital received Rs30 million, Fatima Jinnah Medical Hospital received Rs30.38 million, Services Hospital’s Gynae Ward received Rs10.81 million and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital’s Mother and Child ward received Rs600 million.

The Finance Department also released a budget for King Edward Medical University of Rs10.29 million for transport and furniture, Punjab Institute of Neuro Sciences received Rs290 million and Services Hospital received a budget of Rs30 million for male and female students’ hostels.

In comparison to other hospitals of the metropolis, Punjab Kidney and Liver Research Institute has not been given a single penny contrary to the allocated budget of Rs2 billion.

Other ‘neglected’ projects which did not receive any money include Children Hospital Burn Centre and Jinnah Hospital Endoscopic Services expansion and skills lab upgradation of Jinnah and Services Hospital.

Reporter Ali Abbas