Balochistan's Healthcare on Edge: Medicine Shortage Intensifies Crisis

Balochistan's government hospitals have been grappling with medicinal shortages for over seven months, amid unmet demands despite a PKR 2 billion budget. Citizens face hardships, with limited medicines redirected to military-run hospitals. Access restrictions further burden lower-income patients, prompting urgent calls for resolution.

In a continuing healthcare crisis, government hospitals in Balochistan have been without essential medicines for more than seven months, exacerbating the healthcare challenges in the province. A directive was issued two weeks ago by the Chief Minister of Balochistan to secure an immediate supply of medications; however, the health department has failed to meet the demand, leaving hospitals short of critical medicines, according to The Balochistan Post.

Medicine shortages have persisted since April, despite the provincial government allocating PKR 2 billion for this fiscal year's medical procurement. After almost six months, hospital stocks remain empty, affecting both patients and medical staff. The situation is dire, with emergency supplies, including basic items such as bandages, becoming scarce in government hospitals throughout Balochistan.

Frustration mounts among citizens over severe shortages in the emergency departments of primary government hospitals in Quetta. The situation is equally grim in Outpatient Departments (OPDs), as many patients report unsatisfactory treatment and staff behavior, intensifying hardships for those in need. The Balochistan Post also reports that much of the limited supply of medicines is being redirected to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) facilities, managed by the military within secure cantonment areas, which are often situated far from civilian centers, thus limiting access for the general public, especially low-income citizens.

Patients from lower-income backgrounds face additional challenges, as access to CMH facilities is restricted by strict security protocols enforced by the Pakistan Army in Balochistan. Treatment costs at these military-run hospitals are high, rendering them unaffordable for many in the province. The ongoing redirection of essential medicines to CMH facilities has aggravated the artificial shortage in public hospitals, depriving ordinary citizens of basic healthcare resources, The Balochistan Post reported.

As the crisis persists, citizens and healthcare advocates urge immediate action to address the critical healthcare needs in Balochistan.

(With inputs from agencies.)