THE lingering lack of proper medical facilities and resources in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is a serious public health concern. The long distances and travel time to reach Islamabad for medical treatment naturally result in healthcare delays with all its inherent consequences.

To address health issues, it is important for the government to prioritise the development of healthcare infra-structure in AJK, including the provision of trained medical staff, equipment and medications. This can help improve access to healthcare services and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for treatment.

There are opportunities to leverage technology and telemedicine to improve access to medical care in remote AJK areas. Telemedicine can enable patients to receive remote medical consultations and monitoring.

By working together to address the challenge, we can help improve the health and wellbeing of the people. In this regard, public-private partnerships (PPPs) can be an effective way to leverage the strengths and resources of both sectors to improve access to healthcare services.

By partnering with private healthcare providers and investors, the government can gather additional resources and expertise while also promoting innovation and efficiency in service delivery.

At the same time, PPPs must be carefully structured and managed to ensure that they deliver high-quality, accessible and affordable healthcare to all citizens regardless of their ability to pay. This may require strong regulatory frameworks, transparent governance structures, and effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure that private-sector partners adhere to the highest standards of quality and accountability.

Overall, PPPs have the potential to play a critical role in addressing the healthcare challenges that the AJK people are facing for as long as they remember which is a pity.

Raja Asad Azad
Muzaffarabad

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2023