Health: Priority of the PM

Health is wealth

The prime minister has announced the construction of 50 new hospitals; these when constructed will go a long way to rectify the current imbalance between patients and health care providers

Access to good health is the basic right of every human being; in this context many countries of the world today are welfare states that provide health facilities to people regardless of whether they can pay or not. Pakistan is also a welfare state but it has been largely unable to provide the required medical facilities to its citizens. All that is set to change with the Prime Minister’s National Health Program making inroads in terms of helping the poorest of the poor gain access to healthcare. Various packages are on offer and health insurance cards will be issued to those in need. Many diseases are covered by the program and panel hospitals have been publicised. Also the prime minister has announced the construction of 50 new hospitals; these when constructed will go a long way to rectify the current imbalance between patients and health care providers.

The health of the people should not be taken lightly. People suffer many indignities in order to find health care including having to sell off their properties and take on huge loans in order to afford private medical care. This should not be the case, government should provide free of cost care to all deserving and under privileged. This will also do away with the menace of private practices and private medical mafia.

Now with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif taking personal interest in health sector things are likely to improve. The National Health Program is a step in the right direction, it is already in place in many districts and will gradually cover the entire country. It is currently targeting the most needy segment of society; those who earn less than 200 rupees a day. Necessary resources are being provided for this program and it is expected that the health budget will also significantly increase next year.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recently launched health card scheme in Rahim Yar Khan and distributed these among deserving persons. The launch was a testament to the commitment of the prime minister to the health program. He is fully backing it to succeed and it is apparent from his words that this program, “It is a step forward towards making Pakistan a real welfare state”.

In the past health projects worth billions of rupees were announced but then nothing happened, government should ensure that this does not happen this time around. Especially with regards to 50 new hospitals work should commence immediately and it be ensured that each province take responsibility for these new hospitals, as well as the already existing ones in their jurisdictions.

While health has been made a national priority it is imperative that national health policies may also be revisited. Experts and medical professionals may be taken on board and new strategies derived for health care

While health has been made a national priority it is imperative that national health policies may also be revisited. Experts and medical professionals may be taken on board and new strategies derived for health care; for sadly the ones in place now are not according to the needs of the times or according to international standards. Also what must not be overlooked is providing adequate number of medical staff and well trained workforce for without them the vision of the PM cannot be realised. The state can take up the financial burden but it is the practitioners on the ground who must take up the mantle of providing timely and quality healthcare. Another important factor is delivery of superior medicines and technologies. Medicines should be as low cost as possible so as to not burden the state or the people.

The old adage health is wealth is one of the truest sayings ever uttered. For indeed without health life becomes a burden and the sufferer and his family undergo stress and pain. Let us join hands to help improve the health of as many people as possible and make Pakistan a better nation.