Efforts to Improve Pakistan's Health Sector and the Challenges Faced
Work is underway at various levels to improve the health sector in Pakistan. While efforts are being made to control diseases through new technology and vaccination on one hand, financial and administrative issues remain a major challenge on the other. According to recent reports, the government and international organizations are working together to raise the standard of public health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Pakistan has protected 160 million children and 130 million mothers through vaccination over the past five decades. Additionally, a digital data system has been introduced in Balochistan to monitor child health, which will facilitate the provision of medical facilities in remote areas. Similarly, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is also supporting several projects to improve the health sector, which has also led to an increase in the sector's profitability.
Despite these achievements, Pakistan faces some serious issues. According to a recent report, 40 percent of children in the country suffer from malnutrition (stunting), which is affecting their mental and physical development. Experts say that it is essential to start school meal programs to solve this problem. Furthermore, an audit report has identified financial irregularities of 3.41 billion rupees in the health sector, which is a matter of concern.
Criticizing this year's budget, the Pakistan Medical Association stated that instead of just constructing new buildings, the government should address the lack of facilities and staff in existing hospitals. On the other hand, some positive steps are also being seen at the provincial level. In Punjab, a daily deep cleaning system has been launched in government hospitals under the "New Health Culture" to provide a clean environment for patients.
Regarding public awareness, students of Ziauddin Dental College in Karachi have adopted a unique approach and are providing information about dental health through short films. At the same time, to deal with potential monsoon floods, the World Health Organization has provided essential medical supplies for millions of people to handle any emergency situation.
Overall, Pakistan's healthcare system stands at a critical juncture. Although significant progress has been made in the fields of vaccination and technology, overcoming fundamental issues such as financial transparency and malnutrition is still necessary. Experts believe that if the budget is used correctly and public awareness is increased, the health situation in the country can be further improved.