Pakistani healthcare facilities offering top-class services at affordable rates: army surgeon general

KARACHI: Pakistani healthcare facilities, including those run by the Pakistan Army, are providing “first-world medical treatment at third-world costs,” Surgeon General of the Pakistan Army, Major General Iftikhar Ahmed Satti, said on Thursday.

Speaking at the “Future Hospital” conference during the 21st Health-Asia International Exhibition and Conference at Expo Center Karachi on Thursday, the surgeon general stressed the importance of promoting Pakistan’s healthcare achievements to enhance the country’s global image and attract medical tourism.

“Pakistan has some of the best clinicians in the world. Our healthcare professionals are capable of performing the most complex medical procedures with the utmost care and professionalism. Pakistani hospitals have the potential to attract patients from across the globe by providing high-quality healthcare at far more affordable prices than most countries,” Major General Satti said. He emphasised the need to project Pakistan’s “soft image” internationally by highlighting the achievements of its healthcare sector.

“Negative propaganda and fake news are tarnishing our image, even though most of the country is peaceful, as evidenced by the presence of thousands of foreigners, many of whom seek medical care in Pakistan,” he noted.

The surgeon general pointed out that Pakistan’s healthcare facilities not only offer cost-effective treatment but are also staffed by professionals with empathy, a quality that is often lacking in many parts of the world.

He urged the public and media to promote the successes and advancements of the country’s healthcare system globally.

Highlighting Pakistan’s success in managing the Covid-19 pandemic, Major General Satti said that the country performed exceptionally well in controlling the infectious disease, even as neighbouring countries struggled. “Our nation and professionals worked as a team during the pandemic, demonstrating resilience and professionalism. This shows our potential to achieve great things when we set our minds to it,” he added.

During a panel discussion moderated by Pakistan’s leading digital health expert, Dr. Zakiuddin Ahmed, medical directors and healthcare experts from public, charity, and private health institutions expressed optimism about Pakistan’s potential to attract international patients. They highlighted the ability of the country’s healthcare sector to offer top-tier medical treatment at significantly lower costs than in Western nations.

However, panelists pointed out several issues that need to be addressed to make Pakistan a hub for medical tourism. These include concerns about law and order, visa acquisition difficulties for foreigners, the depreciation of the Pakistani rupee, and the rising cost of imported medical devices. Collaborative efforts between the government, private sector, and healthcare professionals were called for to address these challenges.

Dr. Zakiuddin praised the Pakistan Army for taking the initiative to promote medical tourism, stating that it could not only enhance healthcare quality but also generate much-needed foreign exchange for the country. “One of the benefits of promoting medical tourism is that local healthcare facilities will start focusing more on improving quality standards, which will result in better and safer care for all patients,” Dr. Zakiuddin noted.

CEO of the Sehat Sahulat Programme, Muhammad Arshad, noted that Pakistani healthcare facilities are already offering complex surgeries and procedures at a fraction of the cost charged in Western countries. He asserted that the quality of care is not compromised, even though the costs are significantly lower.

Renowned cardiologist and Medical Director of Tabba Heart Institute, Dr. Bashir Hanif, shared that Pakistan’s cardiac facilities, including his own, provide bypass surgeries and angioplasties at 10 times lower costs than in the United States and other Western nations. “Our waiting lists are much shorter, and many procedures can be performed without asking patients to wait for months or even years,” he added.

Dr. Hanif emphasised that many affluent Pakistanis living abroad prefer to return to Pakistan for medical treatment, provided they are assured of world-class facilities, hospitality, and security. “If authorities take the right steps to promote health tourism, it could soon become a major industry,” he said.

CEO of Indus Health Network, Prof. Abdul Bari Khan, mentioned that their hospitals already treat international patients, including children with cancer, but stressed the need to improve security and create a sense of safety for foreign patients. “We already have long queues of patients in our facilities, and more quality hospitals are needed to meet the healthcare needs of both local and international patients,” he said.

Prominent orthopedic surgeon Dr. Junaid Ali Shah criticised the government for not recognising healthcare as an industry, making it difficult for investors to develop the sector. He shared that patients in the UK often face long waiting periods for orthopedic procedures like knee replacements, which could be performed in Pakistan at a fraction of the cost and much sooner. He called for concerted efforts to overcome challenges and promote health tourism.

UK-based digital health expert, Danial Ghinn, urged healthcare professionals to utilise social media and digital platforms to promote their expertise and services internationally. “Healthcare experts around the world are leveraging digital technology and social media to attract patients, generating millions in revenue for themselves and their countries,” he noted.

Other notable speakers included Dr. Suhail Chughtai, Dr. Mubashir Iftikhar from Medical Tourism, Dr. Mairajuddin Shah from Aga Khan University Hospital, Prof. Dr. Asma Faisal, and UK healthcare consultant Ms. Andrea.