ISLAMABAD, June 11: Although the Rs 19 billion development allocation for the health sector in the federal budget is 33 per cent higher than last year, it has very little for new programmes that got a measly Rs 711 million.

The increase in development allocation in the budget, even though unparalleled in recent years, is significantly less than the Rs 30 billion sought by the health ministry.

The recurring budget earmarked for the health ministry is Rs 5.49 billion _ almost five per cent higher than last year’s allocation of Rs 5.24 billion.

A major chunk of the health development allocation (Rs 17.5 billion) would come from domestic resources, while the remaining Rs 1.5 billion is planned to be provided through foreign loans.

The only significant new program planned for next year is the Prime Minister’s Special Initiative for Expansion and Upgradation of Basic Health Units (BHUs), which has been allocated Rs 500 million of the Rs 711 million earmarked for new schemes.