It would be grossly unfair to put onus of our failed health system on PML-N alone. For almost 9 years Musharraf was at the helm, followed by 5 years of PPP and now almost 3 years that PM Nawaz has been in office. In province of Sind and Punjab respectively, PPP and PML-N have been there for 8 consecutive years. The same civil bureaucrats have held important posts in federal and provincial bureaucracy submitting plans and responsible for their implementation, with establishment setting their own priorities for welfare that does not extend beyond their noses.
In terms of powers, benefits of housing and allotment of plots our top bureaucracy and ruling political elite excel others, yet they have no confidence or trust in seeking medical services within country, for which failure they themselves are responsible. Instead of being penalised, they facilitate themselves at state expense even for diseases for which both hospitals and doctors are available in Pakistan. If there are issues of fake or substandard medicines and equipment, it is either bureaucracy or political elite who are responsible.
Putting blame on doctors, pharmacists, medical technicians, nurses and other associated branches of medicine would be unfair given paucity of funds allocated in budget and the fact that qualified medical specialists come at a price which is not offered to them. In a country where doctors and professors or school teachers are amongst most neglected in terms of financial emoluments, it is no surprise that our health services and priorities are in shambles.
Only recently PM Nawaz, like his predecessors, proceeded to London exercising his discretion to seek necessary medical and surgical remedies for his heart related ailments from a doctor of his choice in London, where his family also lives and does business. The fact that his party has been in power and failed to offer this country even one hospital in which likes of Musharraf, Shaukat Aziz, Asif Zardari, Nawaz Sharif etc have faith or confidence is an indictment upon all of them. Yet national exchequer is penalized bearing burden of their collective criminal incompetence and pay for camp offices and extended families travel, TA/DA, accommodation etc apart from ridiculing our sovereignty and self respect that PM Camp Office is located on alien soil.
Ali Malik Tariq
LAHORE
