HEALTHCARE IN PAKISTAN–A SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Health system in Pakistan has witnessed evolution and dates back to the medieval, traditional health care, health for all approach, primary health care approach and health systems strengthening approach for better health outcomes. The main objectives of health system are improvement in health, fairness in distribution of risk and finances and responsiveness to the non medical needs of the population. With decreasing expenditure on health care, booming private health sector and flourishing pharmaceutical industry, government can only reduce catastrophic health expenditures by the poor and impoverished through an efficient, effective, accessible and responsive public health system. Inter sectoral collaboration, community participation, social protection, equitable distribution of resources, people centric health policy, health work force development, evidence based health information system and quality assurance of essential medicines will strengthen health system in Pakistan.

Keywords

• Equity
• Fair financing
• Health system
• Pakistan