PMA warns budget cuts threaten stability of healthcare system
IV Report KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has criticised the federal government’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, expressing alarm over what it calls a “massive setback” for the country’s already struggling healthcare system. In a statement issued on June 12, the PMA expressed deep disappointment at the significant reduction in federal health sector funding, following the presentation of the 2025-26 budget in the National Assembly and Senate on June 10. “The government has chosen to inflict a significant blow to our already struggling healthcare system,” the statement read. “We are facing a substantial 16% cut in the federal health budget.” The overall allocation for the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination (NHSR&C) has been slashed from Rs 54.87 billion in the outgoing fiscal year to Rs 46.10 billion for the next year. Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Secretary General of PMA (Central), highlighted the most alarming aspec...