Healthcare Infrastructure in Pakistan: Challenges, Developments & Future Prospects
Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure is a critical component of the country’s overall development. With a population exceeding 240 million, the demand for quality healthcare services continues to rise. While progress has been made in recent years, challenges such as insufficient healthcare facilities, inadequate funding, and workforce shortages persist.
This article provides an in-depth analysis of Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure, including its current status, key challenges, government initiatives, and future prospects.
Overview of Healthcare Infrastructure in Pakistan
Pakistan’s healthcare system comprises public and private healthcare facilities, with services ranging from primary care to specialized hospitals. The public sector provides low-cost or free healthcare, while the private sector caters to a significant portion of the population with better facilities but higher costs.
Key Statistics (2024)
- Total hospitals: Over 1,500 (public and private combined)
- Primary health centers (PHCs): 5,000+
- Registered doctors: 260,000+ (Doctor-to-population ratio: 1 doctor per 1,100 people)
- Nurses & paramedics: 250,000+
- Life expectancy: 67 years
- Healthcare spending: ~1.2% of GDP (One of the lowest in South Asia)
Despite improvements, access to quality healthcare remains uneven, particularly in rural areas.
Key Challenges in Pakistan’s Healthcare Infrastructure
1. Limited Public Healthcare Facilities
Pakistan has a shortage of hospitals and medical centers, especially in rural areas. Many districts lack basic healthcare units, forcing patients to travel long distances for treatment.
2. Low Healthcare Expenditure
The health budget in Pakistan is below 2% of GDP, much lower than the WHO-recommended minimum of 5%. This results in underfunded hospitals, outdated equipment, and inadequate medical supplies.
3. Shortage of Doctors and Nurses
Pakistan faces a severe shortage of healthcare professionals.
- Doctor-to-patient ratio: 1:1,100 (WHO recommends 1:1,000)
- Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:50 (WHO recommends 1:10)
Many medical professionals migrate abroad due to better salaries and working conditions, worsening the brain drain crisis.
4. Poor Rural Healthcare Access
Nearly 63% of Pakistan’s population lives in rural areas, where healthcare infrastructure is weak. Basic health units (BHUs) and rural health centers (RHCs) are under-equipped, with some lacking trained doctors and essential medicines.
5. High Disease Burden
Pakistan struggles with both communicable and non-communicable diseases, including:
- Communicable diseases: Tuberculosis, hepatitis, dengue, typhoid, polio
- Non-communicable diseases (NCDs): Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, hypertension
- Maternal and child health issues: High infant mortality rate (56 per 1,000 live births)
6. Weak Health Insurance System
Only 5% of Pakistan’s population has health insurance. Most people rely on out-of-pocket payments, pushing many families into poverty due to medical expenses.
Recent Developments in Pakistan’s Healthcare Infrastructure
Despite challenges, several initiatives are being taken to improve healthcare facilities in Pakistan.
1. Sehat Sahulat Program (Universal Health Coverage)
The government launched the Sehat Sahulat Program (SSP) to provide free health insurance to low-income families.
- Over 7.5 million families covered
- Free hospitalization and surgeries in public & private hospitals
- Expansion to include entire populations in Punjab & Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)
2. New Hospitals and Healthcare Projects
Several new public and private hospitals have been built, including:
- Pakistan Kidney & Liver Institute (PKLI) – Lahore (Specialized treatment for kidney & liver diseases)
- Gujranwala Institute of Cardiology (Cardiovascular care expansion)
- Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital (Karachi) (Oncology & cancer treatment)
3. Telemedicine and Digital Healthcare
With smartphone penetration exceeding 80%, telemedicine platforms are growing. Apps like Sehat Kahani and Oladoc provide remote doctor consultations, reducing the burden on hospitals.
4. COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated investment in ICU facilities, oxygen plants, and vaccination centers. Pakistan successfully administered over 290 million vaccine doses.
Future Prospects: How Can Pakistan Improve Its Healthcare Infrastructure?
1. Increase Healthcare Budget Allocation
Raising healthcare spending to at least 5% of GDP will help improve hospitals, medical training, and research.
2. Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
Collaborating with private hospitals and international organizations can improve hospital management, technology adoption, and medical education.
3. Expand Rural Healthcare Access
- Build more basic health units (BHUs) and rural hospitals
- Deploy mobile health clinics for remote areas
- Increase incentives for doctors to serve in rural regions
4. Digital Health and AI Integration
- Expand telemedicine networks to reach underserved populations
- Use AI-based diagnostics for faster and more accurate disease detection
- Implement electronic health records (EHR) for better patient data management
5. Improve Medical Education and Training
- Open more medical colleges and nursing schools
- Offer higher salaries and better working conditions to retain doctors
- Provide scholarships for medical students to increase workforce numbers
6. Strengthen Preventive Healthcare Programs
- Vaccination campaigns for polio, hepatitis, and tuberculosis
- Public awareness about non-communicable diseases (diabetes, heart disease)
- Nutritional programs to combat malnutrition and stunted growth in children
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Pakistan’s Healthcare System
While Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure faces many challenges, government initiatives, private sector involvement, and digital health advancements are gradually improving the system.
To achieve a modern, efficient, and accessible healthcare system, Pakistan must:
✔ Increase healthcare funding
✔ Expand hospital facilities, especially in rural areas
✔ Invest in medical workforce development
✔ Adopt digital health and AI technologies
✔ Strengthen health insurance coverage for the poor
By focusing on sustainable healthcare policies and infrastructure improvements, Pakistan can build a resilient healthcare system that meets the needs of its growing population.
