Balochistan, despite being central for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has one of the weakest health sectors in Pakistan. There are no good health facilities where people can seek medical aid for their ailments. Hospitals that do exist lack modern machinery and always have a shortage of qualified and trained doctors. Health indicators for infants and maternal mortality are much worse in Balochistan than any other province.
Due to shortage of funds and lack of planning and management, the health sector of the province is presenting a grim picture of people being easily attacked by fatal diseases. The unequal distribution of wealth in the sector is what is causing such disastrous consequences. Water-related diseases are rising because there is a shortage of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. There is no mechanism for sewerage disposal and waste management. It is the responsibility of the federal and provincial governments to allocate more funds to improve the abysmal condition of the health sector in Balochistan.
The government of Balochistan is not being provided the necessary budgetary allocations for these improvements. The amount spent on health services is hardly sufficient to bring any meaningful change in the system. Poor public health services in the province leave the patients with no choice but to opt for private hospitals.
Because of lack of funds, a number of public hospitals lack modern equipment. In rural areas, it is hard to find doctors in government hospitals. According to one estimate, there is only one doctor available for 7,300 people in Balochistan.
Sadly, people who are taken to the filthy beds of government hospitals and those who are not even allowed entry into the wards due to shortage of space only hear hollow slogans of politicians. Legislations approved by the state needs implementation and elected representatives need to take these laws seriously for they have exploited the trust placed in them for a long time.
The situation in Balochistan needs a change. The government of Balochistan must launch long-term plans for the health sector, ensure implementation of previously-announced projects and proper utilisation of funds to improve the health sector in the province. If government hospitals are prioritised, there will be no need of private hospitals because people cannot afford the charges and fees of private hospitals.
Health sector in Balochistan requires budgetary allocations and better facilities and this is an issue that cannot be ignored for long.
The writer is a student of Attashad Degree College in Turbat. He can be reached at faizbaloch987@gmail.com
Due to shortage of funds and lack of planning and management, the health sector of the province is presenting a grim picture of people being easily attacked by fatal diseases. The unequal distribution of wealth in the sector is what is causing such disastrous consequences. Water-related diseases are rising because there is a shortage of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. There is no mechanism for sewerage disposal and waste management. It is the responsibility of the federal and provincial governments to allocate more funds to improve the abysmal condition of the health sector in Balochistan.
Water-related diseases are rising because there is a shortage of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities
The government of Balochistan is not being provided the necessary budgetary allocations for these improvements. The amount spent on health services is hardly sufficient to bring any meaningful change in the system. Poor public health services in the province leave the patients with no choice but to opt for private hospitals.
Because of lack of funds, a number of public hospitals lack modern equipment. In rural areas, it is hard to find doctors in government hospitals. According to one estimate, there is only one doctor available for 7,300 people in Balochistan.
Sadly, people who are taken to the filthy beds of government hospitals and those who are not even allowed entry into the wards due to shortage of space only hear hollow slogans of politicians. Legislations approved by the state needs implementation and elected representatives need to take these laws seriously for they have exploited the trust placed in them for a long time.
The situation in Balochistan needs a change. The government of Balochistan must launch long-term plans for the health sector, ensure implementation of previously-announced projects and proper utilisation of funds to improve the health sector in the province. If government hospitals are prioritised, there will be no need of private hospitals because people cannot afford the charges and fees of private hospitals.
Health sector in Balochistan requires budgetary allocations and better facilities and this is an issue that cannot be ignored for long.
The writer is a student of Attashad Degree College in Turbat. He can be reached at faizbaloch987@gmail.com