Fuel price surge deepening health crisis, warns PMA

Doctors say rising fuel costs are affecting medicines, treatment and household survival

IV Report

KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Saturday voiced concern over the country’s worsening economic pressures, warning that rising petroleum prices were increasing the cost of healthcare, medicines and essential food items, particularly for low-income families.

In a statement issued by PMA Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, the association said recent fuel price hikes had triggered a wider inflationary trend affecting nearly every sector linked to public health and daily living.

The PMA noted that higher transport and production costs had compelled pharmaceutical companies to increase medicine prices, making treatment increasingly difficult for vulnerable patients. It also pointed to mounting operational expenses faced by private healthcare providers, including electricity, transport and medical equipment costs, saying these pressures were contributing to higher consultation and procedure charges.

According to the association, the situation was particularly alarming because a large portion of healthcare services in Pakistan is delivered by the private sector, while public health facilities remain overstretched.

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The PMA further observed that rising fuel costs had also pushed up food prices, adding to the burden on households already struggling with inflation and stagnant incomes. It said many families were finding it increasingly difficult to balance spending on transport, medicines and basic nutrition.

While criticising what it described as inadequate relief measures, the association urged the government to take immediate steps to protect economically vulnerable segments of society. It called for a review of petroleum pricing policies, reduction in non-essential government expenditures, and targeted subsidies on fuel and essential medicines.

The PMA also released a digital poster condemning continued increases in petroleum prices, arguing that sustained inflation could deepen social and public health challenges if not addressed through broader economic and welfare interventions.