World Health Day was observed all over the world, including Pakistan, last week. World Health Day is a global health awareness day that has been celebrated every year on April 7 since 1950, under the leadership of World Health Organization and other related UN bodies. The day marks the founding of the World Health Organisation in 1948 when the constitution of the WHO came into force, and 26 of the 61 governments that had earlier signed it ratified it. Pakistan was among these countries. Today, 194 countries are its members.

Every year, World Health Day has a special theme. This year’s theme is: My health, my right. The reason for selecting this theme is that the WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All has found that at least 140 countries recognise health as a human right in their constitutions. But most countries have not passed relevant laws nor implemented them to ensure that their people have legal access to health services. The stark truth is that in today’s world about 4.5 billion people — more than half the world’s population — are not fully covered by essential health services.

In his message on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged to ensure healthcare facilities for all Pakistanis as soon as possible. He said the government’s focus is on improving primary, secondary and tertiary health care, medical education, preventive health care and improved governance. He also vowed to upgrade health facilities, launch mobile health clinics for enhanced access, re-energize immunization and improve mental health services.
Despite these pledges, the existing health care services in the country are ramshackle and woefully inadequate for the people’s needs. A majority of people cannot afford treatment at private hospitals, while most of the government-run health facilities lack basic facilities, equipment and tools to meet the needs of incoming patients. Healthcare has been a provincial subject since the 18th amendment in 2010 and provincial governments but the situation has not qualitatively changed.

Pakistan faces a range of health problems. Diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, dengue fever, hepatitis, and typhoid continue to be significant health challenges. Poor sanitation, lack of clean water, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure contribute to the spread of these diseases.

Malnutrition remains a serious issue in Pakistan, particularly among children and pregnant women. Both undernutrition and overnutrition are prevalent, leading to stunting, wasting, and various health complications. High maternal and infant mortality rates persist in Pakistan, partly due to inadequate access to healthcare services, lack of skilled birth attendants, and cultural barriers to seeking medical care.

Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory illnesses are on the rise in Pakistan. Lifestyle factors including poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, and pollution contribute to the increasing burden of NCDs. Disparities in healthcare access and quality exist between urban and rural areas. Many rural communities lack access to basic healthcare facilities, resulting in delayed or inadequate treatment for illnesses. Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure is fragile and faces challenges such as insufficient healthcare facilities, shortage of medical equipment and supplies, and inadequately trained healthcare professionals. Pollution, both air and water, is a growing concern in the urban centers. Poor air quality contributes to respiratory diseases, while contaminated water sources lead to water-borne illnesses.

Addressing these health problems requires concerted efforts from the government, healthcare professionals, NGOs, and communities to improve healthcare infrastructure, increase access to healthcare services, promote health education and awareness, and implement effective public health interventions.

The concept of healthcare is multidimensional. It goes far beyond the narrow provision of medical relief to sick citizens. Preventive measures are equally important but this aspect has not received the attention it deserves. Lack of adequate funds is a serious hurdle to instituting a strong national level health care service.

Pakistan has been a member of the WHO since its inception. Being a member it subscribes to the constitution of the organisation. The WHO defines health in terms of physical, mental and social well-being. It also establishes it as a fundamental human right without any discrimination of race, religion, political belief and economic or social condition.

Pakistan has also ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which was adopted in 1966. Being a signatory to international covenants is, however, not sufficient. We have to translate our international legal obligations into national laws and enforce them strictly

This World Health Day comes as a grim reminder that we have not given the health sector the importance it deserves in the national scheme of things. We need to appreciate that only a healthy nation can realise its potential and progress and survive in a highly competitive world.