The year 2025 presented a complex picture for Pakistan's healthcare system, marked by a difficult balancing act between deep-rooted challenges and new, promising developments. The sector navigated severe financial constraints and seasonal disease outbreaks while simultaneously witnessing a significant expansion in digital health services and growing policy attention to long-neglected areas like mental health.
Financial Strain and Enduring Health Threats
The operational environment for public health became notably tougher this year. The federal budget for the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) was reduced by approximately 16%, falling from Rs54.87 billion in FY 2024-25 to Rs46.10 billion for 2025-26. This cut of Rs8.77 billion was compounded by an even more drastic reduction in the health development budget under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), which was slashed by nearly 47% from around Rs27 billion to approximately Rs14.34 billion.
These fiscal constraints hit at a time of heightened demand. Seasonal monsoon outbreaks once again overwhelmed public hospitals, stretching them beyond capacity. While polio eradication efforts continued, sporadic cases reminded authorities and the public that the virus remains a threat. Dengue fever persisted as a major urban health burden, forcing provincial departments to activate emergency measures to protect communities.
The situation was worsened by rising medicine prices and supply-chain issues, impacting both patients and providers. Overcrowding, long wait times, and shortages of essential drugs became more common in public facilities. Meanwhile, the sharp climb in private healthcare costs further widened the inequality in access to quality care for ordinary families.
Progress Amid Persistent Gaps in Care
The year's narrative was not solely one of hardship. Several provinces reported better immunisation coverage, thanks to stronger outreach and improved coordination across primary healthcare networks. In the realm of maternal health, some districts showed progress through expanded midwifery and emergency obstetric services.
However, these gains were fragile and uneven. Persistently high malnutrition rates continued to place millions of children at risk and strain local health services. Rural areas faced the sharpest disparities in maternal care due to a lack of facilities, shortages of trained staff, and the long distances expectant mothers must travel.
A significant positive shift was the mainstreaming of mental health. Increased public awareness and media coverage pushed the issue into the policy spotlight, sparking broader discussions on funding, access, and reducing stigma. This was reflected in a noticeable rise in the use of tele-counselling and online therapy platforms, particularly among young people seeking accessible and anonymous support.
Digital Growth and Systemic Challenges
One of the most promising trends of the year was the rapid expansion of telemedicine. These platforms provided remote and underserved communities with unprecedented access to specialist consultations. Parallel to this, several hospitals began piloting electronic health record (EHR) systems, taking small but crucial steps toward a modernized, data-driven health infrastructure.
Yet, systemic hurdles remained formidable. The outmigration of doctors and nurses intensified, crippling tertiary hospitals already operating beyond their limits. While training programs expanded, retaining skilled professionals emerged as a major policy challenge, creating gaps in critical specialties and threatening the system's long-term stability.
Drug regulation also stayed under scrutiny, with delays in approvals and quality control concerns alarming providers and patients alike. In a notable effort to build public trust, the Federal Health Minister publicly vaccinated his daughter as part of the contested HPV vaccination drive, which faced hurdles due to public mistrust and lack of awareness.
In response to recurring threats, several provinces updated their emergency-response frameworks to improve coordination and disease surveillance. Policy discussions also gained momentum around expanding universal health insurance schemes, recognizing the urgent need for more equitable and sustainable healthcare coverage nationwide.
As the year closed, Pakistan's health sector stood at a critical crossroads. It demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of recurring crises. The defining challenge for the future is to transform short-term crisis interventions into sustained, long-term reforms that can finally deliver equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare for all citizens.
