A healthcare crisis is gripping Rawalpindi, with public hospitals overwhelmed, treatment expenses rising, and private sector oversight lacking. Long queues outside government hospitals have become a common sight, as patients flock before dawn in hopes of treatment. The city’s increasing population and limited healthcare infrastructure have strained public facilities beyond capacity.
At major hospitals like Benazir Bhutto Hospital, the outpatient departments are consistently packed, leading to lengthy wait times for patients. Medical staff highlight the scarcity of doctors, beds, and resources, hampering the delivery of adequate care. A junior doctor at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, speaking anonymously, expressed the challenges faced due to the overwhelming patient numbers and insufficient resources.
Patients seeking quicker access often turn to private healthcare facilities, but many find the costs prohibitive. Consultation fees vary widely, with no standardized pricing system in place across hospitals and clinics. General physician visits can cost between Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,000, while specialist consultations may range from Rs 4,000 to Rs 7,000 or more. Additional expenses for tests, medications, and follow-up visits further burden patients.
Mohammad Azeem, an employee who recently borrowed money for his mother’s kidney infection treatment, highlighted the lack of regulation in healthcare pricing. He emphasized the escalating costs not only for consultations but also for tests, medicines, and post-treatment follow-ups. The absence of standardized pricing has made healthcare unaffordable for many residents, turning it into a luxury.
