PMA paints grim picture of country's healthcare

The country is grappling with a healthcare crisis that is being exacerbated by rapid population growth, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and poor policymaking, states a report released by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Wednesday.

As per the "Health of the Nation Report 2025", with an estimated population of over 253 million, growing at an alarming rate of 2.4% annually, the country is projected to reach 403 million by 2050. This demographic surge threatens food security, healthcare access, education, and housing. Yet, policymakers have failed to develop sustainable strategies to address these challenges. The report lists a myriad of challenges, from soaring maternal and child mortality rates to the ongoing threat of preventable diseases, demanding urgent reforms at every level. Pakistan ranks 125th out of 170 countries in terms of healthcare, according to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) rankings for December 2024.

Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro said polio cases surged to 74 in 2024 from just six in 2023.