Despite tall claims we have yet to see any real efforts in the health sector
BALL NIGWAR: Health plays a key role in determining human capital and leads to human welfare, but the state of health sector in our country is a shambles owing to continued negligence on the part of the authorities. The lack of required attention, proper policies and mechanism and funds are contributing factors in this regard. Although funds have been allocated to combat diseases such as dengue and influenza, a large number of people are still falling prey to diseases like diabetes, hepatitis, tuberculosis, thalassaemia. Despite tall claims about improvement in healthcare services, we have yet to see any real efforts being made to give priority to the health sector.
Public hospitals lack modern equipment and where doctors get salaries not commensurate with their qualifications. This has led people to prefer private hospitals, which are run purely for profit. So private hospitals are beyond the reach of poor patients.
At present the government is spending a very small amount on health. The spending on health and education should be increased considering the significance of these two sectors.
Baba Faiz
Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2018.
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