The Situation of Healthcare in Pakistan

Aaisha Nisha Sikander Shah, A1-A, Liberty Campus Lahore The healthcare facilities in Pakistan have come a long way. From having barely 1200 doctors and two medical colleges at the time of independence, the country now has tens of reputable medical colleges across its four provinces and can boast of thousands of capable doctors, many of whom have studied from foreign universities. Local production and export of surgical goods has reached new heights and numerous rural healthcare centres have been established but the question worth asking is, is this enough? What determines the efficacy of a country?s healthcare sector is not only the quantity of the things mentioned above but also their quality. Unfortunately, Pakistan lacks both. Therefore, it is imperative for the government and healthcare authorities to prioritise. Given Pakistan?s current healthcare situation where one sees hundreds of people dying due to Dengue Fever every week, thousands suffering from cholera and malaria, and millions from hepatitis, the most sensible option seems to prioritise the provision of a bare minimum level of medical facilities to as many as possible in rural and urban centres. Despite consistent government policies and efforts for over a decade, Pakistan is one of the few countries in the world which has not successfully eradicated Poliomyelitis (more commonly known as Polio). Reports from 2010 shows increase in not only the number of cases reported per year but also in the areas where Polio cases have been reported. Thus, expansion in medical facilities of adequate quality should become the government?s top most priority. On the other hand, the magnanimity of problems faced by the healthcare sector in Pakistan does not mean that the authorities are not taking efforts to curtail this increase in epidemics. For improving the child and maternal mortality rates, the government has undertaken projects to train midwives and is expanding the scope of rural and urban healthcare centres. Policies to curtail Dengue Fever and Polio may not have eradicated the disease but have surely curtailed their spread to a certain extent. The government should receive its fair share of appreciation but needs to be reminded that there is still a lot left to be done!