ISLAMABAD, Mar 28 (APP): Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday said the recognit
ion of Pa
kistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) by the World Federation for Medical Education was a testament to Pa
kistan’s commitment to excellence in
healthcare and medical education.
“An effective
healthcare system’s greatest indicator is to ensure that all citizens, despite their socioeconomic background, get the best available
health facilities in a timely, acceptable, affordable, and accessible manner,” he said while addressing a ceremony held to commemorate a significant milestone in the history of medical education and
healthcare in Pa
kistan.
The minister commended the collective efforts of
healthcare professionals, educators, policymakers and stakeholders who tirelessly worked towards enhancing the standards of medical education and
healthcare delivery in Pa
kistan, a news release said.
Highlighting the notable progress of Pa
kistan’s
healthcare sector over the past decade, the minister shared that 3.5 percent increase in life expectancy from 2005 to 2019 was recorded.
In the area of infant mortality, he said a 15 percent decline was recorded from 2000 to 2019, with an infant mortality rate of 58 per 1,000 live births.
Remarkable increase was also marked in the number of
healthcare facilities, which grew up to 20 & from 2007 to 2017, resulting in a total of 7,089
healthcare facilities.
Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that a concerted effort from all stakeholders was required to achieve the country’s roadmap for
health, which aimed to bridge disparities in
healthcare access among poor, expand
healthcare services and make universal
healthcare a possibility for every citizen.
“Doctors play a critical role in strengthening can advocate for increased government funding and improved working conditions in public
health facilities,” the minister stated.
One of the foremost challenges is to reduce disparities in
healthcare access across all socioeconomic groups, as evidenced by the fact that the poorest 20 percent of the population use only 13 percent of
healthcare services.
Citing examples from developed countries, the minister urged Pa
kistani to take lessons from Singapore and Japan for prioritizing preventative measures, Norway and Estonia for using telemedicine, Canada and New Zealand for drug price negotiation with pharmaceutical companies, and Germany and Switzerland for mandatory
health insurance for all citizens.
Pa
kistan’s commitment to address
healthcare challenges, such as rural
healthcare,
health equity, and medical professional shortages, stems from an urgent need to transform the existing
healthcare system.
The minister expressed confidence in government’s dedication to follow a carefully planned approach that will ensure awareness building, access enhancement, and data usage for
health related decisions.
He congratulated PMDC on being accredited by World Federation for Medical Education and subsequently paving a brighter future for medical education in Pa
kistan.
