Pakistan’s healthcare system faces significant disparities between public and private medical facilities, hindering access to quality treatment for many despite increased health allocations, a report revealed. The analysis by Pakistan Today highlighted insufficient public spending, uneven healthcare infrastructure distribution, and rising out-of-pocket medical costs, creating a two-tier healthcare system where quality care is beyond the reach of a large portion of the population.
The federal government’s allocation of Rs 46.10 billion to the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination in the 2025-26 Budget was lower than the previous fiscal year’s Rs 54.87 billion. Public hospitals, especially in rural and underdeveloped regions, grapple with underfunding, staff shortages, and inadequate resources, compelling numerous patients to seek treatment in major cities, thereby burdening urban healthcare facilities further.
According to World Bank data, poorer households in Pakistan spend approximately 20% of their income on healthcare, forcing many families to make tough choices between medical care and essential household expenses. Urging for comprehensive reforms, the report emphasized the need for enhancing public healthcare quality, ensuring affordable access to private medical services, and bolstering community-based health programs to bridge the widening healthcare delivery gap.
Another report highlighted Pakistan’s economic challenges, with inflation hitting 11.7% in May, raising concerns of weak growth, escalating prices, and financial stress. The report from Assahifa noted a surge in annual inflation to 11.7% in May 2026 from 10.9% in April and 7.3% in March, surpassing the State Bank of Pakistan’s inflation target range of 5% to 7%.
