ISLAMABAD: The federal government has increased the overall allocation for the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) to Rs53.29 billion for fiscal year 2026-27, including Rs16.065 billion for development projects, with major investments planned for the Prime Minister’s National Health Programme, Jinnah Medical Complex, cancer care and expansion of public hospitals.
Budget documents show that the ministry’s current expenditure has been increased to Rs37.22 billion while development spending under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) has risen by around 12 per cent to Rs16.065 billion, taking the combined allocation to Rs53.29 billion from Rs46.10 billion in the outgoing fiscal year.
Health officials say the increased allocation reflects the government’s focus on expanding healthcare infrastructure, strengthening disease control programmes, improving cancer and cardiac care and enhancing preparedness for future public health emergencies.
The largest share of the development budget, amounting to Rs3.065 billion, has been allocated for the Prime Minister’s National Health Programme, which is expected to expand access to healthcare services and strengthen health coverage initiatives across the country.
Another major allocation of Rs2 billion has been made for the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre in Islamabad, one of the federal government’s flagship healthcare infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing tertiary care services and medical research capacity.
Cancer care has emerged as a key priority in the new PSDP, with Rs1.5 billion earmarked for procurement of equipment for the Islamabad Cancer Hospital, which is being developed to provide specialised oncology services in the federal capital.
Similarly, Rs1 billion has been allocated for strengthening and upgradation of cardiology and other departments at the Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital (FGPC), Islamabad, while another Rs500 million has been earmarked for the establishment of stroke intervention and expansion of critical care facilities at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
The National Health Support Project for Ensuring Universal Health Coverage in Federating Areas has received Rs800 million to improve healthcare access in underserved regions and strengthen service delivery systems.
Among disease control initiatives, the government has allocated Rs500 million for strengthening the Common Management Unit responsible for tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria programmes and accelerating efforts to control the three diseases.
Another Rs500 million has been allocated through foreign assistance for the establishment of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Hospital at Tarlai in Islamabad -- a project aimed at expanding healthcare facilities in the capital.
The implementation of the National Action Plan on Population has been allocated Rs250 million.
Rs144.36 million has been earmarked for strengthening the drug control section of the Islamabad health department to improve monitoring and ensure availability of safe and quality medicines. The government has also allocated Rs99.94 million for One Health Workforce Development and Coordination for Pandemic Readiness.
PSDP documents show that the total cost of ongoing health sector projects exceeds Rs387 billion, while the throw-forward liability after June 2026 stands at more than Rs121 billion, indicating that substantial funding will be required in coming years to complete ongoing schemes.
