Shocking report: Balochistan’s healthcare system leaves 80% without treatment access

Islamabad: Balochistan Health Secretary Mujeebur Rehman has acknowledged the scale of the healthcare crisis in Pakistan’s largest province, stating that over 80 per cent of the population does not have access to even basic primary healthcare facilities.

The admission highlights a severe gap in essential medical services, with many residents reportedly lacking access to ambulances, general practitioners, outpatient treatment, and basic diagnostic care. The situation effectively leaves a large portion of the population without timely medical support.

According to reports, multiple structural challenges are contributing to the collapse of the healthcare system in Balochistan. The province’s vast geographical size, low population density, and scattered settlements make it difficult to establish and maintain adequate healthcare infrastructure, particularly in remote and mountainous areas.

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As a result, most major hospitals are concentrated in Quetta, the provincial capital, leaving distant regions such as Turbat with limited access to advanced medical care. Travel to major health facilities can take several hours or even a full day, further delaying treatment in critical cases.

An editorial published in a leading Pakistani newspaper, The Express Tribune, noted that geography is only one of several factors affecting the healthcare system. It pointed to broader systemic issues, including weak implementation of reforms, inadequate monitoring, and lack of accountability in the health sector.

The health secretary stated that 15 major reforms have been introduced in the past one-and-a-half years to improve the system. However, concerns remain over whether these reforms are being effectively implemented or sustained before new initiatives are introduced.

The editorial also raised concerns about governance and management, warning that without strict oversight and accountability, healthcare reforms may fail to deliver meaningful improvements.

Additional reports indicate that Balochistan continues to face high maternal, infant, and neonatal mortality rates. These deaths are largely linked to preventable causes such as complications during childbirth, infections, malnutrition, early marriages, and lack of trained medical assistance.

Many women in rural areas reportedly give birth without skilled healthcare support due to the absence of properly equipped facilities and trained staff. Although there have been slight improvements in mortality rates in recent years, the overall situation remains critical.

Health experts and media reports suggest that most of these deaths could be prevented with timely medical intervention, improved infrastructure, and better access to emergency care services.
(With IANS inputs)