DERA GHAZI KHAN: Due to lack of funds, all vendors have halted medicine and equipment supplies to the Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital, which is currently facing critical shortages.

The medical superintendent has reported severe financial constraints that are crippling services at the 1,000-bed tertiary care facility.

Observations based on official records show that essential operational heads are significantly underfunded. As a result, all day-to-day vendors have halted supplies, leading to a crisis-like situation at gynecology ward, pediatric emergency, medical emergency, and trauma center.

Medical Superintendent Dr Mansoor says that at the start of this financial year, due to the country’s economic conditions, a 50pc cut was imposed on the health department budget across Punjab.

“We were already working under this constraint. Before I joined in January, the first and second tranches of the budget had already been used. Despite financial constraints, the previous administration had already obtained the third release at 100pc utilisation. Thus, after I joined, no funds were left.”

Dr Mansoor added that the government imposed another 20pc cut due to austerity measures. As a result, in the fourth and final release, the hospital received no funds in essential budget heads.

“Consequently, for the last four months, I have been running the hospital with no funds, only managing due to people’s support and vendors’ trust.” However, he further maintained, now no one was willing to continue supporting the hospital, which was facing severe difficulties.

The MS said that due to this situation, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and terms of reference (Terms of Reference) for procurement were being violated to provide essential healthcare services.

“We have already crossed the limits of local purchase. Bulk purchased supplies are compromised due to pending liabilities which are more than Rs2bn. So we need special consideration to resolve issues in the best interest of patients and according to the vision of the chief minister.”

The hospital administration, led by Dr Mansoor, has sought additional funds on a priority basis, particularly for drugs and medical equipment to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2026