One of South Punjab’s largest hospitals, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, is running out of free pharmaceuticals.
Patients and families must buy expensive drugs from private pharmacies because to the shortage, which is distressing.
In the hospital’s outpatient department (OPD), 52 important drugs, including antibiotics, paracetamol syrup, cough syrups, and children’s laxatives, are unavailable.
Financial constraints, according to Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr. Aamir Bukhari, cause the shortfall. “We requested Rs1.25 billion for medicines this year, but only Rs530 million was allocated,” he said. He said 60% of the budget had gone to oxygen and dialysis disposables, leaving no money for free drugs.
Patients from outlying places are suffering owing to drug shortages.
The OPD lacks insulin, psychiatric, gastrointestinal, and skin disease meds.
The gynaecology department lacks calcium, multivitamins, and fever medications for children and adults. Adding to the crisis, Dr. Bukhari said Rs630 million from last year’s medical supply payments are still due.
The hospital, which treats over 3,500 emergency cases and 8,000 OPD patients daily, struggles to deliver injectable drugs for indoor patients due to financial constraints.
