<b>CONCERNS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR  OPD SERVICES UNDER THE BENAZIR INCOME SUPPORT PROGRAM</b>

The program proposes an annual allocation of €11–€3 (approximately PKR 900) per family, paid quarterly to hospitals managing 4,000 families each. This approach excludes vital specialty care, investigations, and hospital admissions, which are essential for managing severe communicable diseases (e.g., dengue, acute hepatitis, and pneumonia) and chronic non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and stroke). These limitations significantly undermine the initiative's potential to deliver comprehensive and quality healthcare. Furthermore, reimbursing hospitals regardless of actual service provision raises ethical concerns about transparency and accountability