11 November 2004	Thursday	27 Ramazan 1425

ISLAMABAD, Nov 10: Health Minister Nasir Khan has said that the government is planning to raise the health budget from Rs3.4 to Rs6.1 billion during next financial year.

Talking to a foreign radio the minister said that provincial governments have also enhanced their health budgets for the ongoing financial year.

As a result of these measures, he said there were tremendous opportunities for the doctors as well as the private sector to play their part to boost health sector, which according to the minister, has progressed significantly.

The government, for increasing the number of doctors, has allowed the private sector to build new medical colleges. Moreover, the government is also opening new medical colleges, he said.

As a result there will be a competition in the country and these colleges will impart better education to students, he added.

The minister said there is a great demand for Pakistani doctors in Middle East, Africa and Europe and the United States as medical education system of Pakistan is producing good quality doctors.

Replying to a question the minister said that the government is encouraging doctors, by giving incentives them to come and play their role in the health sector of the country.-APP