The Economic Survey of Pakistan for the fiscal year 2024-25 has revealed the deteriorating condition of the country’s health sector. According to the report, the share of health in Pakistan’s GDP is less than one percent, reflecting the lack of attention given to this critical area.
For the current fiscal year, Rs. 925 billion have been allocated for the health sector, which experts deem insufficient in view of the country’s growing population.
The survey states that, on average, there is only one doctor available for every 750,000 people in Pakistan, highlighting the increasing pressure on the healthcare system. Despite an addition of 20,000 new doctors over the past year, bringing the total number to 319,000, the burden on healthcare providers remains unrelieved.
The number of dentists in the country has reached 39,088, while there are 138,000 nurses, 46,801 midwives, and 29,000 lady health workers.
There are currently 1,696 hospitals and 5,434 functional Basic Health Units (BHUs) across the country. However, the availability of these facilities varies significantly between urban and rural areas.
The report further reveals that 50 out of every 1,000 newborns die annually in Pakistan. The average life expectancy in the country is 67 years and six months, which is considered low compared to global standards.
