Peshawar: Hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are facing severe shortage of essential medicines, according to official documents. The crisis includes shortages of immunoglobulins, rabies vaccines and emergency drugs, raising concerns about the well-being of patients.
The documents reveal that non-availability of snakebite vaccine poses a serious threat to lives, while lack of funds is preventing the purchase of key medicines. The General Directorate of Health Services in Peshawar informed the Minister of Health about the financial difficulties aggravating the situation.
A staggering Rs 9 billion is urgently needed to address the drug shortage, with arrears reaching Rs 2.67 billion for previous drug purchases. Additional funds of Rs 6 billion are also pending release, according to official documents.
Despite a budget allocation of Rs 99.77 million in 2022 and 2023 by the finance department, fears persist that the amount is not enough to address the acute drug shortage.
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“Poor people are facing problems due to lack of funds in hospitals,” the paper said, adding, “Officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health should be ordered to release funds for hospitals.”
The governor’s letter highlights the urgent need for officials to urgently release funds to ensure immediate supply of medicines and essential goods to hospitals. Drug shortages have caused public concern and patients have struggled to access needed treatment.
In response to the escalating crisis, Governor Ghulam Ali also expressed hope that immediate steps would be taken to allocate the urgently needed Rs 9 billion, which would provide a lifeline to hospitals and alleviate drug shortages that threaten the well-being of the people of the region.
