The Benazir Bhutto General Hospital is facing a serious shortage of medicines as it continues to handle an exceptionally high number of patients, with limited funds and large unpaid dues to pharmaceutical vendors compounding the crisis.
According to official sources, the hospital currently owes Rs. 330 million to medicine suppliers, while only Rs. 380 million has been released as its total medicine budget for the ongoing fiscal year.
If the pending dues are cleared from this allocation, the hospital would be left with just Rs50 million for new purchases, an amount considered insufficient to meet patient needs.
Sources further revealed that during the previous fiscal year 2025–26, the hospital was allocated Rs. 400 million for medicines, but actual spending surged to nearly Rs. 800 million due to the growing patient load. Of the resulting Rs. 400 million shortfall, only Rs. 70 million was adjusted from another budget head, leaving Rs. 330 million unpaid to vendors.
For the current fiscal year 2026–27, hospital authorities had requested Rs1.25 billion to ensure uninterrupted medicine supply. However, the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department approved and released only Rs. 380 million, far below the requirement.
Hospital officials warn that even after settling outstanding payments, the facility would still need an additional Rs. 800 million to Rs1 billion to adequately cater to indoor patients, emergency cases, and those visiting outpatient departments (OPDs).
Benazir Bhutto General Hospital serves a vast population, with its medical coverage extending across Rawalpindi Division, Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad. Officials caution that without urgent financial intervention, the ongoing medicine shortage could severely affect patient care across the region.
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