Islamabad: The Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) has called on the federal government to retain the sales tax exemption for charitable hospitals in the upcoming 2024-2025 financial bill. The organization warns that removing this exemption could severely impact healthcare services for the underprivileged.

According to Pakistan Islamic Medical Association, The proposal to eliminate the tax exemption is alarming for both healthcare providers and recipients, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. PIMA Central President Dr. Abdul Aziz Memon highlighted the critical consequences of such a change, stating that it would substantially raise the cost of medical services, making it nearly impossible for charitable institutions to sustain their efforts in providing affordable healthcare.

Dr. Memon emphasized that charitable hospitals are pivotal in delivering quality healthcare where it is most needed. These facilities heavily depend on tax reliefs to manage their operational costs and to extend low-cost services to those less fortunate. The removal of this exemption would not only strain the hospitals financially but also the patients who rely on these institutions for essential healthcare.

In his plea, Dr. Memon urged the government to reconsider its decision, underscoring the vital role charitable hospitals play in the national healthcare system. He called for continued government support for these institutions to enable them to carry on their mission of aiding society’s most vulnerable groups.