Medical Care and Treatment in Pakistan: Top Hospitals, Health Risks
Pakistan is a country located in South Asia on the coast of the Arabian Sea. The country neighbors Iran, Afghanistan, India, and China. The climate here is quite diverse, mostly dry continental tropical. Winters are warm on the plains but rather severe in the mountains with an average temperature of -20°C. Summer is very hot, especially in the desert, on the coast, and in the mountains of the Iranian Highlands.
Pakistan is home to about 220 million people and is the fifth-largest country in the world in terms of population. At the same time, Pakistan’s medical system is assessed as limited. One of the reasons is the problem of a rapidly growing population, which the government is trying to solve.
Medical service
Pakistan is an Islamic state. Religious peculiarities are reflected in the medical system. It is noteworthy that the healthcare system here is separate: men are treated by male doctors, and women are treated by women.
Pakistan occupies one of the leading places in the list of countries dangerous for women to live in, with a large number of risks in terms of health care, as well as sexual violence.
There is qualitative medical care in Pakistan, but it is paid. Recently, a network of private medical institutions has been actively developing. Many of them have reached a fairly high level. However, treatment and services in these institutions are very expensive and out of reach for most residents. There are large modern equipped state medical centers only in the capital and big cities - Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. But in other localities, hospitals and clinics have a low level of medical service.
Best Hospitals in Pakistan
· Jinnah Memorial Hospital is located in Shadman, Lahore. Qualified doctors and paramedics treat patients from all over Pakistan using modern methods of treatment and diagnostics and equipment. The name was given to the hospital in honor of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.
· Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, located in Lahore, is one of the most technologically advanced cancer centers that also serves as a charity for cancer patients who cannot afford treatment.
· Fatima Memorial Hospital (Shadman, Lahore) is a part of the Fatima Jinnah Medical University. This is a general clinic for women and children. There is a cross-subsidized healthcare system in which the money of those patients who can afford treatment goes to the care of the poor.
· Shifa International Hospital (Islamabad) is a JCI-accredited fourth-class healthcare facility that has been providing quality services to both local and international patient communities for over 25 years.
Hazards and health risks
No specific vaccinations are required to enter Pakistan. However, tourists planning a trip to the country are strongly advised to take full international medical insurance covering emergency evacuation in case of emergency.
Recently, there has been an increase in the number of patients with acute respiratory diseases in Pakistan. And in the country, there are seasonal outbreaks of some endemic diseases, including malaria and dengue fever, intestinal infections, and measles in children. It is also necessary to take measures to exclude food poisoning. By the way, on our website, you can get insurance.
Keep in mind that if you travel to certain regions, vaccinations against the following diseases may be useful:
· yellow fever;
· cholera;
· typhus;
· poliomyelitis;
· malaria.
To avoid the health risks travelers may face, other measures often need to be taken:
· maintain food and water safety;
· protect yourself from sun exposure;
· swim in specially designated areas;
· avoid insect bites, especially ticks, mosquitoes, and flies;
· observe respiratory hygiene;
· wash your hands and treat them with an antiseptic;
· try to prevent accidents.
Useful links and phone numbers
Emergency help – 112
Ambulance – 1122
Tourist Police – 1422
Traffic police – 130
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