Karachi's poor liveability tied to health system gaps: PMA

Association cites underfunded hospitals and worsening public health conditions, urges coordinated reforms

IV Report

KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has said Karachi's poor showing in the latest Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Global Liveability Index reflects longstanding weaknesses in the city's health system and other services that influence public health, urging authorities to prioritise reforms that improve residents' quality of life.

                                                          ST file photo
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the association said Karachi's position near the bottom of the global rankings highlighted persistent deficiencies affecting healthcare delivery and public wellbeing.

The EIU Global Liveability Index assesses cities across five broad categories—stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Referring to the latest assessment, the PMA said Karachi's ranking underscored the need for sustained investment in healthcare and other public services that directly influence health outcomes.

Elaborating on the association's position, PMA President Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro said public sector hospitals remained chronically underfunded and understaffed, with persistent shortages of essential medicines and medical equipment placing an increasing financial burden on patients through out-of-pocket healthcare spending.

                                                                                                                  IV Photo
He said the city's declining liveability, coupled with inadequate professional security, was also contributing to the migration of doctors, consultants and nursing staff, further weakening the health system.

Dr Shoro added that inadequate access to safe drinking water, poor sanitation and environmental pollution had created conditions that fueled infectious, water-borne and respiratory diseases, placing additional pressure on an already overstretched healthcare network.

Calling for coordinated action by the federal, provincial and local governments, the PMA urged dedicated investment in public healthcare facilities alongside improvements in essential municipal services, saying both were vital to improving the health and wellbeing of Karachi's residents.


With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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