Govt aims to promote medical tourism: Dr Azra Pechuho

Provincial Minister for Health Dr Azra Pechuho said that the Sindh government extended its full support to the private sector for promoting medical tourism across the country, aiming to benefit the local healthcare sector and its contribution to the national economy.

Speaking as a chief guest at the inauguration of the 21stHealth Asia Exhibition and Conferences on Thursday, the provincial minister said that the government maintained a major share in the country’s healthcare sector, providing quality treatment not only to residents but also to overseas Pakistanis and expatriates in different public sector hospitals, mainly in Karachi.

She mentioned that the participation of foreign delegates and exhibitors in this event depicted positive development for the country’s healthcare industry, adding that the role of the private sector is crucial and laudable.

Pointing out the viral diseases in the city, she said that malaria, dengue and chikungunya affected a significant number of citizens in Karachi during recent weeks, however, these diseases cannot be treated through vaccination but prevented through spray drives against mosquitoes. In this regard, the provincial government will seek the support of the local government.

Dr. Azra also said that polio could be ended in Pakistan along with its neighboring country, Afghanistan because this issue has roots in the whole region. On the other hand, the resurgence of diphtheria can be treated by improving vaccination coverage across the province.

Health experts and hospital caretakers unanimously vowed to promote medical tourism across the country at the conference session of the “Future Hospital – Inward Medical Tourism.” They were of the view that Pakistani hospitals are doing treatments of Afghan and Iranian nationals which could easily be enhanced to SAARC countries through collaborative efforts of the government and the private.

Dr Abdul Bari, CEO of Indus Health Network, said Pakistani hospitals maintained a good standard of quality treatment for patients, including overseas Pakistanis and foreigners, provided that the security situation of the country improved in major cities.

Arshad Qaim Khani, CEO and Prime Minister of the Health Program, said that quality and affordable treatment is mandatory to promote medical tourism in the country. On the other hand, the government should provide logistics and security facilities for expatriates and foreign visitors. The healthcare sector needs to improve its image of the country and market services to attract patients from different countries.

Project Director Health Asia Exhibition and Conferences Farhan Anis said that the participation of local health experts and foreign delegates at the event will help the healthcare sector address its issues and challenges, elevating its standards to the next level.

He mentioned that various local companies have introduced made-in-Pakistan high-tech equipment, apparatus, and machines to exhibitors and visitors, which showed consistent progress and localization in the healthcare sector.