Declining state of the health system.

Byline: KAPEEL KUMAR

Need to change infrastructure, governance and adopt new technologies

Govt must implement the policies outlined in NSP-2022-2026

Pakistan has a long history of providing healthcare through the public sector. However, in recent years, the state of health in Pakistan has been declining. This is due to a number of factors, including the poor infrastructure and governance of the public healthcare system, the increasing cost of healthcare, and the growing burden of chronic diseases.

A healthcare system is one of the most essential pillars of any country. Two parallel systems exist in the healthcare system of Pakistan. One consists of public hospitals and the other consists of private hospitals.

The National Security Policy (NSP) 2022 identifies health security as an important constituent of human security, a key pillar of economic security. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly raised the prominence of health as a national security concern. The NSP-2022 reiterates Pakistan's pledge to address the lack of quality health facilities and highlights the need to invest in preventive, curative, and public health ecosystems.

Public health ecosystems

The public healthcare system in Pakistan is plagued by a number of problems.

A severe shortage of healthcare facilities, especially in rural areas. According to a 2018 economic survey, there is one doctor for every 963 people in Pakistan. This means that there are not enough doctors to meet the needs of the population, especially in rural areas.

Inadequate staffing, with many healthcare facilities lacking the necessary nurses, midwives, and other healthcare workers. This is due to the low salaries offered by the public sector, which make it difficult to attract and retain qualified healthcare workers.

There is a massive shortage of hospitals, doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff. Most life-saving medications are too expensive for people to afford. Now and then, there is a shortage of medicines in the market. Above all, there exists a lack of trust in the healthcare system,

Lack of equipment and supplies often leads to patients having to wait long hours to see a doctor or receive treatment. According to a 2022 report by the World Health Organisation, only 40 percent of public hospitals in Pakistan have the necessary equipment and supplies to provide quality care.

Poor quality of care is often due to the lack of resources and training. A 2020 study by the Pakistan Medical Association found that only 30 percent of patients who sought care at...