Islamabad, July 09, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Friday lauded the continued hike in the health budget in the provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and demanded more attention to this critical sector to provide relief to the masses.

Presently masses have to pay for sixty percent of the healthcare expenses which hit many badly as almost half of the population is living in poverty requiring more financial commitment on the part of the government, it said. Middle-income and poor generally avoid treatment unless very necessary as hospitalization leads to poverty and bankruptcy which is not desirable for them, Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

He said that government can improve the situation by refining the health system, paying attention to state-run hospitals, regulating private hospitals, imposing a ceiling on profits, and introducing universal health insurance, he added. Dr. Mughal said that World Bank and WHO studies suggest that healthcare expenses are pushing one hundred million people below the poverty line every year. It is safe to assume that among the 100 million people becoming poor every year, hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis are also included, he said.

He said that the poor deserve free or subsidized healthcare facilities as a healthy person can take care of his family, bring food to the table, and play his role in the national development. Every Pakistani should have access to the health services they need without financial hardship which includes the full range of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, he said.

For more information, contact:
President
Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW)
402, 4th Floor, Gulistan Khan House, Fazal-e-Haq Road,
82-East, Blue Area, Islamabad
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