Health services not available to poor: PMA

LAHORE: The Central Council of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) (Centre) has expressed concern over deteriorating healthcare system in all provinces of Pakistan.

According to a press release issued on Sunday, the office-bearers and members in a meeting at PMA House observed that because of wrong policies of provincial governments, the primary healthcare system has collapsed and basic health services are not available to the poor. Majority of tertiary care hospitals in the country are not able to provide quality tertiary care services to majority of patients.

The system is run by unskilled and incompetent doctors and there is an acute shortage of trained nurses and paramedics. The PMA Centre Secretary General, Dr Mirza Ali, said the central council demanded a state of emergency in healthcare throughout the country with special emphasis on the training of doctors and producing competent nurses. This meeting demanded that all legislators, government high officials and their families should get their treatment at the public sector hospitals.