Healing on life support

In a small village in rural Pakistan, a young mother named Shahida* lies on a charpoy, her body wracked with pain as she clutches her swollen abdomen. She has been suffering from severe stomach cramps for days, but with no healthcare facilities nearby, she has been forced to rely on the advice of unqualified traditional healers. Her husband, a daily wage laborer, has taken a day off from work to take her to the nearest hospital, but they know it will be a long and arduous journey, with no guarantee of quality care at the end of it.

Shahida’s story is not unique. Millions of Pakistanis, particularly women and children, suffer from preventable illnesses and injuries due to lack of access to quality healthcare. In urban areas, the situation is not much better. In Karachi's Lyari neighborhood, for example, residents are forced to navigate narrow alleys and crowded streets to reach the nearest hospital, which is often understaffed and underfunded. The air is thick with pollution, and the smell of garbage and sewage hangs heavy over the streets. It is a bleak and unforgiving environment, where the struggle to survive is a daily reality.

Pakistan, a country of over 220 million people, is facing a healthcare crisis of epic proportions. Despite being the fifth most populous country in the world, Pakistan's healthcare system is woefully inadequate, with millions of people struggling to access even the most basic medical care. The statistics are staggering, Pakistan has one of the lowest healthcare expenditures in the world, with only 2.9 per cent of its GDP allocated to healthcare. This translates to a per capita health spending mare Rs8,526, which is equivalent to $48.05, compared to the global average of $1,064. This is also lower than the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommended level of $86 per capita. The result is a healthcare system that is underfunded, understaffed, and ill-equipped to meet the needs of its rapidly growing population.

The consequences of this crisis are far-reaching and devastating. Every year, thousands of Pakistanis die from preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and diarrhea. Maternal and child mortality rates are among the highest in the world, with over 170 mothers dying for every 100,000 live births, and over 69 children dying before their fifth birthday.