Pakistan’s Health spending less than WHO recommendation

June 11, 2021

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According to data released in the 2021 Economic Survey, Pakistan spends way less on health than recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The country spends an average of 1.2% of GDP on health care, while the World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 5% of GDP for the sector.

However, this number is slightly more than in 2017-18 (1.2% of GDP). Federal government and provincial health care spending increased by 14.35% from Rs 421.78 billion last year to Rs 482.27 billion this year.

In the current fiscal year, the federal government has allocated a total of 20.1 billion to 71 health projects under the Public Sector Development Program.

In healthcare projects, the government has implemented the Rs70bn healthcare program to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by modernizing health facilities, sanitation, solid waste management, drinking water supply , and education.

However, despite lower investment in Health Sector, Pakistan’s health indicators continue to improve.

Life expectancy at birth increased from 66.9% in 2017 to 67.3% in 2019, while infant mortality (per 1,000 live births) decreased from 58.8% in 2017 to 55.7% in 2019. Moreover, the maternal mortality rate (per 100,000) fell from 276 in 2015 to 189 in 2019, while over five years the mortality rate (per 1,000) fell from 71.6% in 2017 to 67.2%. in 2019 and the population growth rate declined from 2% in 2017 to 1.9% in 2019.

Compared to other Asian countries, Pakistan has one of the highest life expectancy at birth, infant and under-five deaths, and population growth rates.