Pakistan’s health system requires lasting reform

By Raja Ashraf

A country’s healthcare system is judged not only by the number of hospitals it has but also by whether people can access timely, affordable, and quality medical care. In Pakistan, public confidence in the health sector has weakened due to persistent challenges, including shortages of healthcare professionals, rising medicine prices, under-resourced hospitals, and the continued presence of unqualified medical practitioners. These issues require comprehensive and long-term reforms rather than short-term policy responses

Healthcare is a fundamental right closely linked to Article 9 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to life. The Supreme Court has interpreted this provision to include access to essential healthcare services. Pakistan is also a signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which commits the country to progressively ensuring the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health for its citizens.

One of the most pressing concerns is the shortage of qualified doctors in rural and underserved regions. Although medical institutions produce thousands of graduates every year, many public health facilities outside major cities continue to face vacant positions. As a result, many communities struggle to obtain even basic healthcare services and are often forced to travel long distances for treatment.

The migration of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to foreign countries has further weakened the healthcare system. Better salaries, improved working conditions, career opportunities, and greater security abroad encourage many skilled professionals to leave Pakistan, creating significant gaps in public hospitals and specialized medical services.

The pharmaceutical sector also faces increasing challenges. Some multinational pharmaceutical companies have reduced their presence in Pakistan, raising concerns about future medicine availability and investor confidence. While local pharmaceutical manufacturers continue to meet much of the country’s demand, policymakers must create a stable regulatory and economic environment that supports both domestic production and responsible international investment.

The rising cost of medicines has become another major burden for families already affected by inflation. Patients suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases often require lifelong treatment, making affordability a growing concern. At the same time, the continued circulation of counterfeit and substandard medicines highlights weaknesses in regulation and quality control, despite improvements in oversight by regulatory authorities.

Public hospitals also frequently experience shortages of essential medicines and emergency supplies, forcing patients to purchase drugs from private pharmacies. This increases treatment costs and can delay critical medical care during emergencies. Ensuring uninterrupted medicine supplies in government hospitals should remain a national priority.

Another persistent issue is the presence of unqualified medical practitioners, commonly known as quacks, particularly in areas where licensed healthcare providers are scarce. Tackling this problem requires stronger enforcement of existing laws alongside improved access to qualified medical professionals.

Pakistan’s healthcare challenges extend beyond these issues to include inadequate public health funding, ageing hospital infrastructure, weak primary healthcare services, limited mental health facilities, and uneven implementation of health policies across provinces.

Addressing these problems requires a comprehensive national strategy focused on increasing healthcare investment, improving working conditions for medical professionals, strengthening medicine regulation, modernizing pharmaceutical oversight, expanding preventive care, and reinforcing primary healthcare services. Investing in healthcare is not merely a public expense—it is an investment in human capital, economic growth, and national development.

Pakistan possesses skilled healthcare professionals, reputable medical institutions, and a capable pharmaceutical industry. With sound policymaking, stronger governance, and sustained investment, these strengths can be transformed into a healthcare system that guarantees every citizen safe, affordable, and quality healthcare. The need for reform is no longer in question; the real challenge is ensuring that action is not delayed any further.