Healthcare

Letter December 30, 2016
Our very lives depend on it

RAWALPINDI: As the new legislative session begins, it is heartening to see that our leaders have committed to addressing a number of healthcare issues. In today’s disease-ridden world, healthcare for the populace is of paramount importance. It is the responsibility of the government to provide healthcare facilities to the people. In this regard, the National Health Programme, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, is a sign of hope and relief for people living in abject poverty. Under this programme, free of cost medical treatment of fatal diseases, including diabetes, cancer, angioplasty and others, will be provided to people living on incomes below the poverty line. Since healthcare is the topmost priority of the provincial government, it has also launched Punjab health insurance cards. Moreover, the establishment of mobile health units, the formation of the Punjab Healthcare Commission and initiation of the Hepatitis Control Programme are ample proof of the government’s firm resolve to improve healthcare delivery in the country.

However, more efforts are needed as healthcare access for all citizens is the need of the hour. To make a lasting difference in the quality of cost of our healthcare, we encourage state leaders to address the root causes of our healthcare crisis, such as inconsistencies in care, disparities based on gender and race, and preventable medical errors.

Quality healthcare is the right care for the right patient at the right time — every time. True health care reforms must tackle cost, quality and coverage as a package deal. We can, and must, get this right. Our very lives depend on it.

Hassaam Mughal

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2016.

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