Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said that the present government had ensured modern health facilities and free medicines by increasing the health budget to Rs 102 billion.
He said that all-out cooperation would be extended to the institutions treating mental diseases and for creating awareness among the public regarding such illnesses.
He emphasized on the need for a public awareness campaign regarding psychological/mental diseases.
He expressed these views at an event for special people held at the Fountain House. Rehman said that psychological disease patients could not look after themselves, therefore, their family members and the civil society should play their parts in helping such individuals.
He said the provincial government was also providing maximum funds for the treatment and rehabilitation of mentally handicapped individuals.
Rs 7.5billon would be spent on the provision of free treatment and medicine for the poor and destitute in public sector hospitals of the province. The government was spending huge funds for the uplift of the health sector during the current fiscal year, he added.
“As compared to the previous years, Punjab government has provided 19 percent additional budget for the provision of health services in Punjab”, he concluded.
