Is Technology the Answer to Pakistan’s Healthcare Woes?
Pakistan’s healthcare system is facing a number of challenges in providing quality and accessible care to its citizens, with the country ranking 154th out of 195 nations in terms of overall healthcare performance, according to a survey by The Lancet. With only 2% of its GDP allocated to healthcare, Pakistan is struggling to maintain a suitable healthcare system for its growing population.
The healthcare system in Pakistan is plagued by a number of issues, including inadequate funding, limited resources, and a shortage of healthcare professionals. Infectious and vaccine-preventable diseases are prevalent in the country due to subpar sanitation, polluted water supplies, and insufficient socioeconomic conditions. Viral hepatitis, dengue, TB, malaria, typhoid, HIV, and cholera are some of the primary causes of death in the country.
In addition, healthcare professionals themselves are facing challenges due to a lack of protective equipment required to treat patients safely, which has led to strikes and protests. Furthermore, managing organizational change is a key component of deploying new healthcare technologies, such as Hospital Information Systems (HIS). HIS is a type of healthcare technology that can greatly enhance the quality of services provided in general. By managing organizational change, HIS deployment can go beyond simply implementing new technologies, and increase the effectiveness, accountability, and transparency of the healthcare system, but the lack of resources and funding often prevents poor nations from offering high-quality healthcare services.
To address these issues, the government must take concrete actions to implement e-governance in the health sector, which will increase the system’s effectiveness, accountability, and transparency while also hastening the process of service delivery. Three ICT services are currently accessible in Pakistan’s health sector, including a patient management information system (MIS), a biometric attendance system for medical professionals, and an online payment system.
Public and private healthcare systems coexist in Pakistan, with the majority of clinics located in cities and having the latest medical technology. Private healthcare is preferred over public healthcare due to the lack of quality and accessibility in the latter. The central ministry used to oversee the health sector but it has now been devolved to the provinces. However, there are still too few health workers and facilities for the population.
According to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, there is a significant shortage of doctors, nurses, and midwives, particularly in rural areas. This shortage not only impacts the quality of healthcare but also the accessibility, as patients may have to travel long distances to receive medical care.
Despite the challenges facing Pakistan’s healthcare system, there have been some positive developments in recent years. The government has taken steps to improve healthcare infrastructure, with new hospitals being built in several cities, and the country has made progress in reducing the incidence of infectious diseases. In addition, the country has a growing number of trained medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and technicians.
There is also increasing recognition of the importance of preventative healthcare measures, such as vaccinations and education on healthy living, which can help reduce the burden on the healthcare system in the long run. The government has launched several public health campaigns to raise awareness and encourage healthier habits among the population.
However, the implementation of these initiatives is still in its early stages, and more needs to be done to modernize Pakistan’s healthcare system. The government needs to allocate more funds to healthcare, particularly in rural areas, to improve accessibility and quality. It also needs to address the shortage of healthcare professionals by providing incentives for doctors, nurses, and midwives to work in rural areas.
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