Whenever we talk about Pakistan, there are many important issues that come up — such as the weak education system, rising unemployment, poverty, and a poor healthcare system. These problems affect millions of lives every day. While they are often discussed, few focus on how to solve them. One major issue that needs urgent attention is the state of healthcare in Pakistan. It’s a topic that directly impacts the quality of life and the future of the country.
THE CURRENT STATE OF HEALTHCARE IN PAKISTAN:
According to various official reports, Pakistan’s healthcare system continues to struggle with both reach and quality. A report from the Ministry of National Health Services shows that the country has around 1,276 hospitals, 5,558 Basic Health Units (BHUs), 736 Rural Health Centres (RHCs), and thousands of dispensaries and maternal health centers. Despite this wide network, the overall condition remains poor. The number of hospital beds available is only 1.2 per 1,000 people, far below the global average. Urban areas may have better services, but rural regions are still highly neglected. As per a study published in the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association (JPMA), people in rural areas have to travel over 20 kilometers on average to reach a hospital, while those in cities travel just a few kilometers. Another report highlights that only about 74% of Pakistan’s population lives within 5 kilometers of a health facility — with even worse figures in provinces like Balochistan.
Government hospitals, which serve the majority of the population, are often underfunded and lack basic facilities, essential medicines, and trained staff. A recent survey reported by The News showed that many public health centers in Islamabad operate with minimal resources, some even without clean water and electricity, and often shut down early in the day. On the other hand, private hospitals offer better treatment but at a price that is out of reach for most Pakistanis. According to a report on Health in Pakistan, about 54% of total health expenditure comes directly from people’s own pockets, which puts an unbearable burden on low-income families.
Pakistan also faces serious problems in maternal and child health because of poor healthcare, especially in rural areas. Reports show that around 11,000 women die each year from pregnancy-related issues, making Pakistan one of the top four countries with the highest number of such deaths. The maternal death rate is 154 per 100,000 births — more than twice the global target. Child health is also worrying, with 58 out of 1,000 children dying before the age of five, and 38 newborns dying for every 1,000 births. Around 37% of children under five suffer from stunted growth due to poor nutrition.
This mix of poor access, weak public services, and unaffordable private care has created a healthcare crisis — especially for the poor, who are left with little to no options. Fixing these deep-rooted problems is essential for protecting lives and ensuring health as a basic right for every citizen.
The following practical steps can help improve Pakistan’s healthcare system
- START MOBILE AND LOCAL HEALTH CLINICS
Small health clinics and mobile units should be started in villages and far areas. These can give basic care, checkups, and advice close to where people live, so they don’t need to travel far.
- MAKE ONLINE DOCTOR SERVICES EASY AND SAFE
People should be able to talk to doctors through safe and trusted online services. This will help those in remote areas get medical help without going to a hospital.
- MAKE HEALTHCARE CHEAP AND GOOD FOR EVERYONE
Healthcare should be affordable and good quality for all people, in cities and villages. This can be done by offering health insurance, working with private hospitals, and helping with medicine costs.
- IMPROVE HOSPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND USE DIGITAL SYSTEMS
Many government hospitals in Pakistan lack proper buildings, equipment, and management. Improving hospital conditions, keeping facilities well-maintained, and using digital systems to manage patient records, medicine stocks, and staff performance can make services faster and more reliable. Sri Lanka has shown how using digital systems in public hospitals can improve care and reduce delays, even with limited resources.
- ENSURE STRONG MONITORING AND FAIR PRACTICES IN HEALTHCARE
There should be strict checks on doctors, staff, and pharmacies to make sure they are qualified, follow rules, and charge fair prices. Independent teams should visit hospitals regularly and listen to public complaints. Bangladesh has improved healthcare quality by strengthening its health authority and making hospitals more accountable to the public.
Pakistan’s healthcare system needs quick and serious attention from the government. Bangladesh is a good example of how things can improve with the right steps. It has made strong progress by building more local clinics, improving basic healthcare, and making treatment affordable. This has helped reduce maternal and child deaths, even with fewer resources. This shows that steps like mobile clinics, better hospital systems, and low-cost care can really help. Right now, Pakistan spends only about 2.8% of its total budget on health, which is much less than the 5% suggested by the World Health Organization. If Pakistan increases this amount and focuses on smart solutions, it can give better and affordable healthcare to everyone, especially in poor and rural areas.
