Gilgit (Shakeel Ahmed): In a disturbing development in Gilgit Baltistan, also known as Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the suspension of crucial funding has placed the lives of hundreds of vulnerable patients in jeopardy.
The provincial government, despite allocating an impressive 86 billion rupees in its non-developmental budget, has failed to release a modest 25 crore rupees for the Health Endowment Fund. This shortfall has left over 500 patients with life-threatening conditions facing an uncertain future.
The Health Endowment Fund, which plays a vital role in providing financial assistance for the treatment of life-threatening diseases, has been suspended since mid-February 2025. As a result, 442 patients who were already receiving ongoing treatment, along with 50 new patients, now find themselves unable to afford the necessary medical care to survive.
The Health Department of Gilgit-Baltistan is grappling with an alarming situation. While the provincial government can allocate almost 10 billion rupees for non-developmental expenses, it appears unable to allocate a mere 65 crore rupees annually for the treatment of critical patients suffering from conditions such as cancer, liver and kidney failure, and heart diseases.
According to sources, the lack of funding for the Health Endowment Fund has directly impacted the treatment of over 500 patients, including six waiting for liver transplants, 40 awaiting kidney transplants, 383 suffering from cancer, and 40 individuals battling severe heart conditions. Without the necessary funding, these patients are at risk of losing their lives due to the absence of medical intervention.
Over the past four years, the Health Endowment Fund has saved the lives of over 1,286 patients, with total expenditures surpassing 86 crore rupees. This fund has enabled life-saving procedures like liver transplants (costing up to 6 million rupees per patient), kidney transplants (5 million rupees per patient), bone marrow transplants (3.5 million rupees per patient), cancer treatment (over 2 million rupees per patient), and heart disease treatment (1 million rupees or more per patient).
However, the recent halt in funding has left patients and their families devastated, with many expressing deep frustration and hopelessness. These patients, who once had the faint hope of receiving life-saving treatment, now face a grim reality due to the government’s inability to allocate the necessary funds for essential medical services.
The suspension of the Health Endowment Fund highlights a glaring disparity in priorities. Despite the region’s financial resources being directed towards non-essential areas, the lives of countless patients are being put at risk due to the lack of adequate healthcare funding.
Gilgit-Baltistan, a region rich in natural beauty and strategic significance, deserves more attention from the international community. This crisis serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for better healthcare infrastructure and the prioritization of health over political and economic interests.
The residents of Gilgit-Baltistan are calling for urgent intervention and the immediate release of the necessary funds to save lives and ensure the health and safety of the most vulnerable members of society. Without swift action, hundreds of patients may face irreversible consequences. The international community and human rights organizations are urged to take note of the plight of the people in this region and offer their support in ensuring that the basic right to life and healthcare is upheld.
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This tragic situation serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of international solidarity and support for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, who continue to face immense challenges in the absence of adequate healthcare provision.