Pakistan & Gulf Economist

Review of Govt steps for health facilities

According to the statistics published in Pakistan Economic Survey, socio-economic factors such as health, education, income, employment etc., are closely interlinked with Human Development Indicators (HDI).

Pakistan has recorded improvement in health indicators over the previous 3-year. Life expectancy is grown from 66.9 years in 2017 to 67.3 years in 2019, but is still behind in the region. The infant mortality rate, maternal mortality and population growth rate have been declined during the previous 3-year.

Health Indicators Of Pakistan
Details 2015 2019
Maternal mortality Ratio (per 100,000 births) 276 (2006) 189
Neonatal mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) 45.2 41.2
Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births) 62.1 55.7
Under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000) 76.1 67.2
Incidence of tuberculosis (per 100,000 people) 270 263
Incidence of HIV (per 1,000 uninfected population) 0.10 0.12
Life expectancy at birth, (years) 66.6 67.3
Births attended by skilled health staff (% of total) 58.0 68.0 (2020)
Contraceptive prevalence, any methods (% of women ages 15-49) 32.0 (2014) 34.0

The experts recorded that in order to make substantial progress on Goal 3 of Sustainable Development Goals (Good Health and Wellbeing), the present Government of Pakistan has given priority to strengthen health sector to more resolve and address the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. Improved effective coverage of skilled birth attendants, enhanced public sector health facilities, increased number of Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) equipped with essential services are the reflection of these priorities.

To enable effective family planning, pre- and post-pregnancy care and neonatal care, the Lady Health Workers (LHW) programme revitalized by adequate training, support and a revised service structure. Statistics showed that the country’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has fallen from 62.1 deaths per 1,000 live births during 2015 to 55.7 during 2019, while Neonatal Mortality Rate declined from 45.2 deaths per 1,000 live births during 2015 to 41.2 during 2019. Statistics showed that percentage of birth attended through skilled health personnel is grown from 58 percent in 2015 to 68 percent in 2020 (PSLM, 2019-20).

Maternal Mortality Ratio declined from 276 maternal deaths per 100,000 births in 2006, to 189 during 2019. No doubt, the present Government of Pakistan is committed to raise its critical workforce from 1.45 to 4.45 per 1,000 persons, in line with WHO guidelines. With a population growth rate of 1.9 percent, Pakistan’s contraceptive prevalence rate in 2019 stayed stagnant at 34.0 percent. Pakistan’s tuberculosis incidence is of 263 per 100,000 population and HIV prevalence rate is 0.1 per 1,000 population in 2019 while, mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is 59.9 percent.

The Government is exploring dedicated actions to curb the growing burden of NCDs, although, many of its attempts have been severally affected through pandemic repercussions. Because of growing demand in public health service delivery, the health services delivery infrastructure has enlarged considerably. By the year 2020, statistics showed that national health infrastructure comprised of 1,282 hospitals, 5,472 BHUs, 670 RHCs, 5,743 Dispensaries, 752 Maternity & Child Health Centres and 412 TB centres, while the total availability of beds in these health facilities have been estimated at 133,707. There are 245,987 registered doctors, 27,360 registered dentists and 116,659 registered nurses in these facilities together in Pakistan.

To provide best health facilities in the country, the Government of Pakistan has increased health expenditures gradually since 2011-12. The Health-related expenditure grew by 14.3 percent from Rs 421.8 billion in FY2018-19 to Rs 482.3 billion in FY2019-20. Public sector expenditure on health was predicted at 1.2 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in FY2019-20, as compared to 1.1 percent in FY2018-19. After the passage of 18th constitutional amendment, it is also recorded that provision of health services is the mandate of the provincial governments however, the Federal Government has supported various health related projects by PSDP, for fulfillment of SDGs and overall health status in Pakistan. During FY2021, PSDP allocations of Rs 20,193.9 million were made for 71 health sector projects. In addition, government of Pakistan has introduced an especial programme with an outlay of Rs 70 billion to mitigate the impact of pandemic. The programme is focusing on upgrading health care facilities, sewerage system, solid waste management, clean drinking water and education.

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