KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) launched on Thursday its report on the country’s health status, highlighting the multi-faceted challenges confronting Pakistan in this sector, while calling for urgent comprehensive reforms.

“Pakistan faces an unprecedented health crisis, compounded by its status as the fifth most populous country globally. The World Health Organisation’s recent ranking, placing Pakistan at 124th out of 169 countries, should serve as a clarion call for an immediate revision of the nation’s health system,” the report titled ‘Health of the Nation 2024’, says.

The government, it says, has approved multiple drug price hikes, affecting over 80,000 drugs and burdening the populace. Inflation and the devaluation of the rupee have strained local drug production, making essential medication unaffordable, particularly for the poor,” the report says.

Pakistan faces a significant burden of Hepatitis B and C, with 15 million affected individuals. Lack of prevention, testing and treatment resources, along with the presence of quacks, contribute to the rising number of cases.

The report advocates for better control measures, including vaccinations, to curb the spread of these deadly viral diseases.

The report emphasises the need for addressing water quality issues to improve public health. Pakistan experiences a rapid rise in HIV infections, with 63,202 registered cases.

“Unsafe drinking water is a major health concern, causing a high number of deaths. Contaminated water contributes to 40 per cent of deaths nationwide, leading to waterborne diseases, with diarrhoea being a leading cause of infant mortality,” it says.

Limited testing capacity, unsafe practices like syringe reuse and poor awareness contribute to the spread of HIV. The report calls for increased testing, awareness and access to lifesaving treatment to combat the HIV/AIDS crisis.

The report stresses the importance of investing in preventive measures against diseases and calls for increased health budget allocation. It also highlights the consequences of climate change affecting healthcare. Despite contributing less than one per cent to the global carbon footprint, Pakistan faces significant challenges, emphasising the need for adaptive strategies and international assistance.

Pakistan faces a double burden of disease, with high rates of various illnesses. The report highlights demographic challenges, high maternal mortality, infectious diseases, lifestyle-related health issues, inadequate access to clean water and environmental pollution. Urgent action, increased investment and policy reforms, the report says, are essential for creating a healthier and more resilient nation.

Concern over diabetes

According to the report, Pakistan ranks third globally in the prevalence of diabetes. It stresses the severity of the diabetes situation, calling for concerted efforts to address this health crisis.

Early detection, intervention and preventive measures are crucial to mitigate the increasing burden on the healthcare system. The report also sheds light on the alarming statistics related to road traffic accidents and air pollution.

Improving healthcare indicators in Pakistan is a complex task that requires long-term planning and systemic reforms. Here are some recommendations to enhance the healthcare system in the country:

The report recommends that the government prepare a people-friendly National Health Policy based on the ground realities of the country.

“Focus on enhancing primary healthcare services at the grassroots level, particularly in rural areas. This can be achieved by increasing the number of primary healthcare centres, improving the training of staff and ensuring the availability of essential drugs and equipment.”

It urged the government to enhance the healthcare workforce and improve accessibility and affordability. “This can include expanding health insurance coverage, reducing out-of-pocket costs and implementing targeted subsidies for essential medicines and treatments.”

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2024