Sindh Health Sector Under Fire Over Delayed Projects

The Sindh health sector is facing heavy criticism as the government prepares its Budget 2026-27. Many people are worried about unfinished projects and poor service delivery. Although the province spends a lot of money on health, many initiatives have not helped patients yet. Consequently, the public is questioning the lack of oversight and slow implementation.

Budget Allocations vs. Actual Results

Last year, the provincial government gave Rs381 billion to the health sector. This huge amount showed a clear goal to improve medical infrastructure. However, several major projects are still not finished. Meanwhile, many hospitals still struggle with daily operations. Therefore, stakeholders wonder if these funds are actually improving patient care.

The Case of the Paediatric Cardiac Unit

One glaring example is the Paediatric Cardiac Unit at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Karachi. This facility started in 2016 to offer heart care for children. Yet, the project remains unfinished after nearly a decade. Furthermore, the cost has jumped from an original Rs1.74 billion to almost Rs11 billion. Despite this spending, the unit is still not operational.

Funding for Major Medical Institutes

In addition, the government provided massive funding to top healthcare centers last year. For instance, the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation received Rs19 billion. Similarly, the National Institute of Cardiology got Rs16.7 billion. Moreover, the Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases received Rs13 billion. The government also set aside funds for emergency services and hospitals in Gambat and Larkana.

Persistent Challenges in Healthcare

Despite these investments, hospitals across Sindh still struggle. Specifically, they face medicine shortages and heavy patient loads. Consequently, access to specialized services remains limited. Medical professionals argue that building new facilities is too slow. As a result, hospitals are overwhelmed by patients from inside and outside the province.

The Need for Primary Care Reform

Furthermore, health experts stress the need for better primary healthcare services. They believe these services are the foundation of any good medical system. Although the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative received Rs16.5 billion, experts say more reforms are necessary. Therefore, the upcoming budget will show if the government can finish projects and improve access for all citizens.