Health sector needs complete transformation in Pakistan to meet needs of people: expert

KARACHI: Health sector in Pakistan needs complete transformation where around 55 percent of healthcare sector is comprised of private health facilities including large commercial hospitals, specialist clinics, general practitioners and a large number of quacks but unfortunately, most of these private hospitals and facilities are only concerned about money-making instead providing quality healthcare to people, experts said on Saturday.

“Health service delivery in Pakistan needs complete transformation where 55-57 percent of health sector is comprised of private sector, which is only interested in money making and doing business, instead of serving ailing humanity. The private healthcare sector is composed of large commercial hospitals, specialist clinics, general practitioners and quacks and there only concern is money-making”, said Dr. Babar Saeed Khan, an eminent healthcare specialist and renowned public health expert while talking to newsmen in Karachi.

The senior health expert, who has recently joined Ehad Medical Center in Karachi, Pakistan’s only health facility that is offering both conventional and first virtual health services as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Babar Saeed Khan said owing to poor health services offered by public hospitals in Pakistan, people were compelled to approach private hospitals and clinics but unfortunately, quality health services are not being offered by most of these facilities.

Dr. Babar Saeed maintained that 30 to 35 percent of healthcare sector is comprised of public sector while around 10-15 percent healthcare needs of the people are being met by the charity hospitals, which are heavily overburdened with a huge number of patients and added that owing to heavy burden of patients, both public and charity-run hospitals were unable to offer quality healthcare services in the country.

“In these circumstances, there is a need to transform entire healthcare sector in the country, especially the private sector which charges huge sums of money from patients. At Ehad Medical Center, we are not only treating patients but also providing them necessary guidance, awareness and information so that they could remain healthy by adopting appropriate preventive measures”, Dr. Khan added.

To a query, the health expert who has served both in Pakistan and abroad for improving health service delivery at public and private hospitals, opined that there is strong need to create awareness among masses about diseases, their causes, prevention and treatment, saying most of the diseases could be prevented by improving lifestyle and taking very simple steps in daily life.

“Unfortunately, healthcare sector especially in the private sector is least concerned about prevention from diseases. Despite spending thousands and millions, patients and their attendants remain unaware as what to do to prevent or avoid recurrence of the disease. We are planning to work in this area and to influence others in the health sector”, he added.

In addition to offering conventional health facilities, Ehad Medical Center is Pakistan’s first virtual hospital for the treatment of all those patients who are unwilling to visit any healthcare facility fearing that they could contract the infectious disease.

“We have launched Pakistan’s first and the only virtual health facility in Karachi which is offering nurse-assisted tele-consultation, home lab collection, radiological procedures at patients’ bedside at their residence and medicine delivery to them at their doorsteps”, Dr. Khan said

Several health experts have termed the establishment of a virtual hospital a blessing for patients, especially those who are to travel frequently to see their consultants, wait for hours and face the hassle in availing medical services at clinics and hospitals, saying this facility would save thousands of patients from inconvenience.