KARACHI:
The ever-increasing inflation is inflicting severe hardships on the masses who are struggling to meet their daily needs. Healthcare support and medicines have now become a luxury for many patients. People cannot afford treatment and surgeries for life-threatening diseases and ailments.
Medicine and equipment shortages and subsequent price increases will further raise challenges for many. The country is already facing high rates of disease, which will be followed by an uptick in death rates given the current circumstances. To prevent a catastrophic situation, the Ministry of National Health Services should work with provincial healthcare departments, public and private hospitals, and NGOs to facilitate patients from low-income and vulnerable backgrounds. Free medical camps should be set up in rural and far-flung remote areas to reduce difficulties for patients who cannot travel to urban areas.
The country already has an abundance of medical practitioners who should be utilised during this time. Everyone has a right to live regardless of their financial situation. Thus, the government must support the poorer segments of society by providing them with adequate healthcare support.
Manahil Hassam
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2023.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
