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Health scenario of Pakistan
Pakistan, an underdeveloped country often termed a welfare state in official documents, faces numerous challenges such as widespread malnutrition, severe poverty, rapid population growth, limited employment opportunities, deteriorating law and order, and one of the world’s highest corruption rates. Amidst these issues, health problems are escalating across all age groups.
With a population of around 250 million, Pakistan’s federal and provincial government budgets allocate meager funds to healthcare, failing to meet the needs of the masses. This neglect contradicts the very essence of a welfare state.
Government hospitals offer limited healthcare facilities, and patients often must purchase medicines and surgical instruments from the open market. Shortages of doctors and paramedical staff lead to inadequate attention to patients, driving many to seek private healthcare. A significant number of doctors prescribe unnecessary or expensive medications, often due to corruption or incompetence. They maintain close ties with nearby pharmacies and laboratories, sometimes even conducting private practices during official hospital hours.
Despite these challenges, many doctors in the public sector uphold the integrity of their profession by prescribing generic and affordable medications. They refrain from engaging with pharmaceutical representatives and prioritize patient satisfaction, earning respect and gratitude from their patients and the nation.
In the private healthcare sector, hospitals and clinics often charge exorbitant fees, making it inaccessible to the poor and even straining the finances of the middle class. Patients frequently resort to borrowing money to afford treatment, while doctors and staff exploit their vulnerability.
There is limited trust in alternative medical systems such as homeopathy, with some countries banning their practice. Traditional local treatments like Tabib al-Mashriq have faded due to government neglect, lack of research institutes, and disinterest from practitioners.
Due to poverty and lack of access to proper medical care, particularly in rural areas, some individuals turn to spiritual healers like Pastors (Pirs/Faqirs). While these practices offer psychological comfort, they often fail to provide effective solutions. However, with increased exposure to modern media, reliance on such practices is gradually diminishing.
ALIZA SHAHEEN
KP
Digital race
The contemporary century has witnessed the rapid transformation of global dynamics. Amidst the marvels of the digital age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), there are also dilemmas. The digital race among tech giants such as Meta, Google’s parent company Alphabet, Tesla, and SpaceX aims to hegemonize information and increase user bases. However, this competition demands meticulous and audacious steps to avoid costly errors.
For example, a recent outage of Facebook, Instagram, and Thread (Meta outlet) caused global outrage and lasted 90 minutes. This technical fault cost Mark Zuckerberg $30 billion and pushed him down to the fourth position among the world’s richest individuals. In contrast, a brief outage of Meta proved advantageous for Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), leading to a rapid increase in users.
Even tech giants like Google face challenges in managing data torrents and staying ahead of competitors. Last year, OpenAI launched ChatGPT, revolutionizing digitalization. Google’s response, Bard (renamed Gemini), faced criticism for its failure to match expectations. Similarly, Alphabet’s attempt to counter OpenAI’s Sora with its own AI image generating tool fell short, leading to public criticism and CEO Sundar Pichai’s public apology.
SAJID ALI NAICH
Khairpur Nathan Shah
Protest rights basis
The Constitution of Pakistan enshrines the freedom of assembly as a fundamental right in Article 16. This article guarantees every citizen the right to assemble peacefully and without arms, subject to reasonable restrictions imposed in the interest of public order. This constitutional provision is a testament to Pakistan’s commitment to upholding democratic values and ensuring avenues for public discourse.
However, it must be cogently borne in mind by the political forces in particular that the privilege of holding protests guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan should not be misconstrued by them. Those who resort to violence and vandalism that puts the security and integrity of the State at stake are out and out anti-state elements.
The State must come down with a heavy hand on them. It must not allow such criminal elements to harm the interest of this nation and this country. Such anti-state elements must not be allowed to go scot free. They must be brought to justice at all cost. Long live Pakistan!
FAZAL ELLAHI
Islamabad
Box letter
Helping poor in Ramzan
Ramzan is the one of the important festival of Muslims all over the world.Helping the poor in Ramzan is not just an act of charity; it’s an expression of compassion and solidarity with those who are less fortunate. By extending a helping hand, we can uplift entire communities and create a more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. In Ramzan, poverty might manifest in various forms, from lack of access to basic necessities like food, clean water and shelter, to limited educational and economic opportunities. However, each act of kindness, whether big or small, contributes to a collective effort in combating poverty and building a brighter future for all. Let us remember that poverty is not solely an individual’s burden; it’s a systemic issue that requires systemic solutions. By addressing the root causes of poverty and advocating for policies that promote social inclusion and economic justice, we can create sustainable change and ensure that no one is left behind. Together, through empathy, action and collaboration, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of the poor during Ramadan and work towards a world where everyone has the opportunity to live with dignity and hope. During Ramadan, we must help poor people because when we help them, we will find happiness throughout our lives. SABA ANWAR
Turbat
