Building a Healthier Nation: Reforms in the Healthcare Sector

A strong healthcare system is the foundation of any prosperous nation. Good health leads to a productive society, economic stability, and overall national development. Over the years, healthcare has been one of the most critical areas requiring attention, and in recent times, the Pakistani government has taken major steps to improve medical facilities, expand healthcare access, and introduce universal healthcare policies. These efforts are focused on ensuring that every citizen, regardless of their financial background, has access to quality medical treatment. The reforms in the health sector are not just about building more hospitals but about creating a system where healthcare is affordable, efficient, and widely available. In Pakistan, healthcare spending has steadily increased, rising from 0.91% of GDP in 2018 to around 1.2% of GDP in 2024. Although still below the World Health Organization’s recommended 5% for developing countries, this increase reflects a growing recognition of healthcare as a national priority.

One of the most significant steps taken in recent years has been the introduction of universal healthcare programs, such as the Sehat Sahulat Program. This initiative aims to provide health coverage to millions of low-income families, ensuring that healthcare is no longer a privilege reserved for the wealthy. By 2024, more than 120 million Pakistanis—nearly half the population—were covered under this program, allowing families that once struggled to afford even basic care to access free treatment at over 1,000 empaneled hospitals nationwide. Data from Punjab alone shows that over 4 million patients benefited from free treatments in 2023, covering everything from life-saving surgeries to outpatient consultations. Health cards issued under the program have become a lifeline for millions, providing financial protection against catastrophic health expenses that push families into poverty.

Another major development has been the expansion of hospitals and medical centers across the country. Historically, over 60% of Pakistan’s population, particularly those living in rural areas, lacked access to nearby healthcare facilities, forcing people to travel long distances to urban centers. In response, the government launched infrastructure projects that have resulted in over 200 new hospitals and rural health centers being built or upgraded between 2020 and 2024. This expansion has significantly improved access to emergency care and specialist services in underserved areas. In regions like Balochistan and interior Sindh, where the doctor-to-patient ratio was previously as low as 1 doctor for every 5,000 people, the deployment of new healthcare facilities has helped reduce that gap to 1:2,500, though this still falls short of the WHO recommended ratio of 1:1,000.

The availability of trained doctors and medical staff has also improved, though workforce shortages remain a challenge. To address this, the number of medical colleges has increased by nearly 30% in the past five years, and government scholarships have been offered to over 5,000 students from rural and underprivileged areas to study medicine. As a result, Pakistan’s healthcare workforce grew to over 250,000 doctors and 130,000 nurses by 2024. To enhance the quality of care, new training programs and international partnerships have allowed medical professionals to gain expertise in fields like oncology, cardiology, and trauma care. The introduction of telemedicine, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has continued to thrive, with over 2 million consultations provided online in 2023 alone, reducing the burden on hospitals and improving access to specialist advice in remote areas.

Affordable medicines and essential medical supplies have also become a focus area. Previously, high medicine prices and frequent shortages meant that nearly 35% of Pakistanis could not afford prescribed treatments. Reforms introduced between 2022 and 2024, including stricter price regulation and increased support for local pharmaceutical production, have helped stabilize prices and improve access. The establishment of government-subsidized pharmacies under the Prime Minister’s Health Initiative has further ensured that essential medicines are available at affordable rates in both urban and rural areas, cutting out intermediaries that previously inflated costs. Domestic pharmaceutical production also increased by 20%, reducing dependence on expensive imports and helping stabilize supply chains.

Preventive healthcare has also gained attention, with immunization coverage rising from 66% in 2018 to 82% in 2024, according to official government reports. Successful polio campaigns have reduced the number of cases to single digits for the first time, while expanded hepatitis and measles vaccination drives have reached millions of previously unvaccinated children. Nationwide health awareness campaigns, targeting lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, have also been launched, with schools, workplaces, and community centers hosting health education sessions. Free medical check-up camps have been held in collaboration with non-governmental organizations, benefiting over 5 million people in rural areas over the past three years by providing early detection services for conditions like cancer, heart disease, and tuberculosis.

Maternal and child health has seen marked improvement due to targeted programs providing free prenatal care, safe delivery services, and nutritional support. Infant mortality, which stood at 55 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018, dropped to 45 by 2024, while maternal mortality fell from 186 to 150 per 100,000 live births in the same period. These improvements can be attributed to increased institutional deliveries, expanded vaccination coverage for newborns, and community health workers providing door-to-door maternal care services in rural areas. Special focus has also been placed on nutritional programs addressing childhood stunting, which affects 37% of Pakistani children, with fortified food distribution and maternal nutrition counseling being integrated into maternal care programs.

Emergency response capacity has also improved significantly. Between 2020 and 2024, over 500 new ambulances were added to public health networks, and emergency response centers were established along major highways and in disaster-prone regions. In urban centers, response times for medical emergencies have improved from an average of 40 minutes in 2019 to under 25 minutes in 2024. Mobile health units, equipped with diagnostic tools and staffed by trained medical personnel, have also been introduced in remote areas, ensuring that even communities without permanent health facilities have access to basic medical care.

While much progress has been made, challenges remain. Out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare still accounts for around 50% of total health spending, far higher than in comparable countries, indicating that more work is needed to fully protect families from catastrophic health expenses. Moreover, urban-rural disparities persist, with urban residents enjoying better healthcare access and quality than those in rural and mountainous regions. However, the government’s increased focus on equitable access, combined with growing investments in primary healthcare and community health programs, signals a long-term commitment to closing this gap.

A well-functioning healthcare system benefits everyone, from individuals and families to businesses and the overall economy. When people have access to good medical care, they can work better, contribute to society, and lead happier lives. The recent reforms in the health sector are paving the way for a stronger and healthier nation, where no one has to suffer due to a lack of medical facilities or financial constraints. With continued efforts, Pakistan is moving toward a future where quality healthcare is available to all, making the dream of universal healthcare a reality. If these reforms are sustained and strengthened, healthcare can become one of Pakistan’s greatest success stories, providing a healthier population that serves as the backbone of economic and social development.

Author’s Bio:

Hamnah Maryam holds an MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies and focuses her research on security dynamics, strategic affairs, and regional geopolitics. Her academic work explores contemporary defence policies, conflict resolution, and the evolving security landscape in South Asia. She actively contributes to research publications and policy discussions, offering critical insights into defence strategies and geopolitical trends.