ISLAMABAD, Aug 2: The Ministry of Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr provides an annual grant of Rs400 million to 79 health institutions registered with the Central Zakat Council for medical treatment of deserving patients.

Between 3,25,000 to 3,50,000 poor patients are extended free medical assistance from these hospitals annually. Funds are released to these hospitals on the basis of quarterly utilization reports. These are always given after abnormal delays by most hospitals causing disruption of funds allocation at times.

The budget for the current year has been released and so far Rs16.475 million have been given to eight hospitals in the first instalment of their approved annual grant.