Karandaaz launches findings of comprehensive report on private healthcare in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD -- Karandaaz here on Wednesday conducted a highly anticipated webinar to unveil the findings of its groundbreaking report titled "Private Healthcare in Pakistan - Gaps, Opportunities, and Possibilities." The report, comprising volume 1 and 2, is now available to the public on Karandaaz's website.

The webinar commenced with welcome remarks from Waqas ul Hasan, CEO, Karandaaz followed by the opening remarks by Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Chairperson, Karandaaz Board. Special Secretary (Health), Govt of Punjab Fatima Sheikh delivered the keynote address, highlighting the initiatives being taken in the public sector for health delivery, significance of the report and its potential impact on the healthcare sector, according to a press release issued here on Wednesday.

Karandaaz is a leading impact investor in Pakistan with the aim to promote access to finance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) and financial inclusion of unbanked individuals.

The report is one of the most extensive scoping of the private healthcare landscape in Pakistan, it offers comprehensive solutions and grounded recommendations for addressing various challenges that prevail in the private healthcare sector of Pakistan. It aims to inform academia, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and investors, providing a roadmap for collaboration and improvement in access, affordability, and quality of healthcare for the people of Pakistan.

Notably, the research highlights that healthcare expenditure has seen a modest increase of 18.6 percent between 2010 and 2020, reaching 2.95 percent as a percentage of GDP. Out-of-pocket expenditure accounts for more than 55 percent of total healthcare expenditure, indicating an urgent need for increased investment in the sector.

The study revealed the high cost of operating in the private healthcare sector, inhibiting the growth of small and medium-scale health enterprises. The estimated costs for setting up a modest tertiary facility are USD 20 million, while a 100-bed hospital requires a working capital of PKR 5-6 million per month. Limited access to capital and significant investment requirements pose challenges for these enterprises, restricting their expansion and market penetration.

Commenting on the findings, CEO of Karandaaz Waqas ul Hasan, said, 'Despite the growth of private healthcare in Pakistan, there are still significant gaps in the healthcare system, which are rooted in structural flaws. For instance, while larger...