As the Sindh government prepares to unveil its Budget 2026-27, the health sector remains under close public scrutiny due to unfinished projects and persistent service delivery challenges. Despite receiving one of the largest allocations in the provincial budget, many healthcare initiatives have yet to deliver the expected benefits, raising concerns about implementation and oversight.
In the previous fiscal year, the provincial government allocated Rs381 billion to health, reflecting its commitment to improving medical services and infrastructure. However, several key projects remain incomplete, while hospitals continue to face operational difficulties. As a result, stakeholders are increasingly questioning whether substantial financial resources are being translated into meaningful improvements for patients.
One of the most notable examples is the Paediatric Cardiac Unit being developed at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Karachi. Launched in 2016 to provide specialized heart care for children, the facility remains unfinished after a decade. The project’s cost has increased significantly over the years, rising from an initial estimate of Rs1.74 billion to nearly Rs11 billion without becoming operational.
The government also allocated major funding to leading healthcare institutions during the last fiscal year. The Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation received Rs19 billion, while the National Institute of Cardiology was allocated Rs16.7 billion. In addition, Rs13 billion went to the Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, while funds were earmarked for hospitals in Larkana and Gambat as well as emergency healthcare services.
Despite these investments, hospitals across Sindh continue to struggle with growing patient loads, medicine shortages and limited access to some specialized services. Healthcare professionals argue that infrastructure development has not kept pace with demand, while several facilities remain under pressure from patients arriving from both within and outside the province.
Health experts also emphasize the importance of strengthening primary healthcare services, which they consider the foundation of an effective medical system. Although Rs16.5 billion was allocated for the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative, many experts believe further reforms are needed. As the new budget is presented, attention will focus on whether the government can accelerate project completion, improve hospital performance and ensure better healthcare access for citizens.