PMA urges Sindh govt to invest in primary healthcare system   

• He said improving healthcare system will ensure timely medical attention.
• Dr Ghafoor Shoro said primary healthcare system is backbone of health sector.
• He said govt first improve basic system instead of investing in high-cost machinery.

KARACHI: Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has emphasized the need for improving the primary healthcare system in the country instead of investing in high-cost machinery for tertiary care without an improvement in the former.

Hon. Secretary General, Pakistan Medical Association (Centre), Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, said as an organization that promotes healthcare advancement, PMA acknowledges that tertiary care is important, but it believes that the government’s focus should be on the primary healthcare system. Strengthening the primary healthcare system will ensure that people receive timely and adequate medical attention without the need for expensive tertiary care.

He said primary healthcare system is the backbone of the health sector and caters 70- 80% of healthcare in Pakistan. Unfortunately it is weak, and we need to focus on improving it before investing in tertiary care.

Dr Shoro said Pakistan’s and specially in Sindh primary healthcare system lacks basic facilities, and equipment, which forces people to seek treatment at costly tertiary care centers. The current infant mortality rate for Pakistan in 2023 is 55.777 deaths per 1000 live births and 154 women die for every 100,000 live birth, Vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, acute watery diarrhea, cholera, skin diseases, and malnutrition are rising. maternal mortality and pregnancy-related deaths are more prevalent in Sindh  Investing in high-cost machinery without first addressing this issue would be a waste of resources.

PMA has recommended that the Sindh government invest in primary healthcare centers, rural clinics, and basic health units. Providing basic health facilities, such as diagnostic labs, clinics, and trained medical staff, will help alleviate the burden on tertiary centers.

PMA is committed to working with the government to improve the healthcare system in Sindh. Our message is clear – let us focus on improving primary healthcare before investing in expensive equipment.

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Secretary General, PMA, believes that prioritizing the primary healthcare system should be the government’s top priority. By improving primary healthcare, the burden on tertiary care centers will decrease, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for the people of Pakistan.