Looming health crisis

A shortage of dollars in the country has forced the State Bank of Pakistan to direct local banks not to open Letters of Credit (LCs) to import raw materials for medicines as well as equipment. This, coupled with the negligence on the part of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), has resulted in a shortage of surgical, medical and diagnostic equipment used in hospitals — thereby accelerating the likelihood of a health crisis in the country.

It is worth mentioning that most regions in the country have substandard healthcare facilities — something that often forces patients to travel to urban areas to seek treatment and surgeries. Many people in flood-affected areas still require healthcare support for ongoing disease outbreaks. Pregnant women and newborns need life-saving medicines and other assistance. Amid this, the country is faced with another Covid-19 wave. With medicine and surgical equipment in short supply, patients’ plight will further aggravate. Hospitals and healthcare officials will be compelled to pick and choose between patients. It goes without saying that those belonging to vulnerable and low-income groups are more likely to be less of a priority.

The authorities’ criminal negligence signals their lack of regard for the welfare of the people. Most pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies are running out of raw materials and equipment, which means that soon thousands of patients will be faced with the risk of losing their lives. Considering that this is not the first time Drap has neglected procedural work, the Ministry of National Health Services must wake up from its slumber and get a new SRO issued. Our authorities must forego their old habits of acting after the storm has passed and instead take urgent measures to tackle the emerging medicine and equipment shortages to protect the masses.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2023.

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