Pakistan’s healthcare system faces significant challenges, from inequitable access to rising burdens of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The 2024 Universal Healthcare (UHC) Monitoring Report, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of National Health Services and the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights these pressing concerns. With only half the population having access to essential healthcare services, and catastrophic health expenditures pushing many into poverty, achieving UHC remains a distant goal. Simultaneously, an alarming surge in NCDs, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, threatens the nation’s health and socio-economic stability. These challenges call for urgent action, innovative solutions, and robust public-private partnerships.

The 2024 Universal Healthcare (UHC) Monitoring Report highlights significant gaps in the country’s healthcare system. According to the report, only 50% of Pakistan’s population currently has access to UHC, far below the global target of 80%. The report evaluates UHC using two key indicators: essential service delivery coverage and financial protection. While there has been progress, with the UHC service coverage index improving from 40 in 2015 to 53.9 in 2023, the challenges ahead remain substantial.

Performance varied across regions in 2023 as Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) achieved the highest score at 63.9%. Punjab followed with 55.5%. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 51%, Sindh 50.7%, and Balochistan 38.4%. The report emphasized equity issues, noting that Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan lag significantly behind other areas, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

The report underscored several critical issues. The proportion of households spending more than 10% of their income on healthcare worsened between 2013 and 2021, with 5.4% of households affected in 2021. Low government investment and reliance on out-of-pocket payments remain key barriers. While the burden of disease has declined from 70,086 DALYs per 100,000 population in 1990 to 42,399 in 2021, the challenge of addressing non-communicable diseases and mental health issues is growing. The Sehat Sahulat Programme has the potential to improve financial protection, but its effectiveness will depend on scaling up efforts and addressing inefficiencies in health service delivery.

The report called for long-term investments in human capital, efficient resource utilization, and capacity building at the district and private sector levels. It also stressed the importance of inter-sectoral policies to tackle over half of the disease burden effectively. While Pakistan has made strides in improving UHC, achieving equitable and comprehensive healthcare access remains a distant goal. The report highlights stark disparities in healthcare access across Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, which lag significantly behind other regions. These inequities underline the urgent need for targeted interventions and equitable healthcare policies. One of the report’s critical findings is the worsening trend in catastrophic health expenditures between 2013 and 2021. A significant share of healthcare funding relies on out-of-pocket payments, which deter many citizens from seeking essential health services and push vulnerable families further into poverty.

Despite healthcare being recognized globally as a fundamental human right and an essential element of socio-economic development, it remains a low priority for Pakistan’s policymakers. Resource constraints are often cited as barriers to progress, yet more efficient allocation and utilization of existing resources could significantly improve healthcare outcomes. The report highlights examples of private contributions and public-private partnerships that are making an impact. In Punjab, philanthropic entrepreneurs have funded additional facilities in government hospitals and provided free medicines and meals to underserved populations. In Sindh, a capacity enhancement initiative combines monetary donations from philanthropists with government resources, resulting in better-managed public hospitals offering free, high-quality health services. This model serves as a blueprint for other provinces to emulate.

It is imperative for all stakeholders to recognize that investments in universal healthcare not only improve individual well-being but also contribute to the nation’s socio-economic development. Inter-sectoral policies and interventions, as suggested in the report, could address more than half of Pakistan’s disease burden, making it an actionable course of action.

Pakistan is experiencing an alarming epidemiological shift, with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounting for over 60% of annual deaths, as noted in a report by the World Health Organization (WHO). Pakistan now has the highest global diabetes prevalence, with cases rising from 6.3 million in 2011 to an estimated 36 million in 2024, including one million pre-diabetics. Diabetes claims over 1,100 lives daily. Cardiovascular Diseases are responsible for 55% of NCD-related deaths, amounting to approximately 450,000 fatalities annually. Nearly 40% of the population is overweight or obese, with the adult obesity rate reaching 28%, according to WHO estimates. The growing burden of NCDs and regional healthcare disparities demand urgent and coordinated action. By embracing public-private partnerships, improving resource allocation, and adopting inter-sectoral approaches, Pakistan can address its pressing healthcare challenges.

Healthcare investments are not just expenditures but long-term investments in human capital, driving the country towards progress and prosperity. It is time for policymakers to prioritize healthcare and leverage every available opportunity to improve the lives of millions.

The growing disparities in healthcare access and the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Pakistan highlight the urgent need for systemic reforms. While examples of private contributions and public-private partnerships offer hope, a broader, unified effort is required to address inequities, improve financial protection, and invest in long-term healthcare infrastructure. Policymakers must recognize that healthcare is not merely a basic human right but also a cornerstone of national development. By adopting inter-sectoral policies and prioritizing investments in health systems, Pakistan can improve the quality of life for its citizens and pave the way for sustainable progress and prosperity.