With focus on the economy, people often forget about the ground realities of Pakistan
RAWALPINDI: Recently a 24-year-old man died in front of his parents in the emergency ward of a government hospital. This man was trying to get his illness diagnosed, while previously visiting other hospitals as well. He died not because he made a mistake of ignoring his illness, but because he was less privileged and belonged to a low-income family. His only option was to visit a government hospital as he could not afford the hefty fees of the private ones.
He was a young citizen and died because proper treatment cannot be provided in overcrowded government hospitals. The man might have survived if he was given timely expert medical attention. It is absolutely essential for the government to build more hospitals and ensure proper facilities are provided there. It is the government’s job to work for the citizens’ well-being instead of acting like authority figures. Basic healthcare is the right of every citizen. The truth is that most government hospitals are in bad shape and nothing is being done to improve the lives of people. Instead, everyone wants to focus on the economy and statistics without taking into consideration the ground realities present in different parts of the country.
I urge the government to provide basic necessities to the common people. The government should build more hospitals to provide better healthcare to the common people. Health is wealth. It is true both for individuals and nations. Only healthy people can build a healthy nation. The government should take care of the people’s health at every stage and across all section of the populace.
Mahad Ansar
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2019.
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