The ministry of health that is targeted to be devolved to the provinces by June 30th, nonetheless received Rs 2.6 billion for health affairs and services in the budget for FY12 against the revised budget of Rs 7.4 billion (2010-11).
Under a deal between coalition partners PPP and PML-Q, the federal ministry would reportedly continue functioning during the running year however most of its functions would be devolved accounting for a decline in budgetary allocations.
The government has not earmarked a single penny for medical products, appliances and equipment while during last year's revised budget Rs 80 million were allocated for the same purpose.
In the budget FY12, a sum of Rs 2435 million has been allocated for hospital services against last year Rs 6627 million. Similarly, this year Rs 140 million have been allocated for public health services while Rs 487million have been earmarked in the revised budget of 2010-11.
The budget has not allocated any amount for R&D in health while in last year's budget Rs 2 million, an appallingly low amount, was earmarked for this purpose. In budget 2011-12, the government has earmarked Rs 70 million for health administration while last year, Rs 258 million were allocated for the sector.