HEALTH

CONDITIONS OF
PAKISTAN
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 Population of Pakistan
◦ At time of independence 1947, we were 36 M. In 2023 we are
almost 231.6 M and in 2050 Pakistan is going to become a country
with a population of 350 M.

According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and

Statistics. See: Population Census Organization - Statistics
Division, Government of Pakistan, 'Population Clock'. Available
at http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/index.html. 2
NMR( Neo-natal mortality Rate)
◦ 2nd Highest NMR in world of 40 per 1000 die in 28 days of birth.
◦ Finland has only NMR of 1 and Iran has 8. Only Lesotho is ahead of us (at 44).
◦ 37.6% children below age 5 are stunted(mentally or physically) due to malnutrition
or poor health condition of mother. We stand on 13th no. in world above only poorest
countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. Iran has this % of only 4.8.
◦ 42% of women of reproductive age (between 15-42) have moderate iron deficiency
that is Anemia in 2018. Causes Maternal mortality +under weight children.
◦ Only 2 countries from where wild Poliovirus has not been eradicated are Pakistan
and Afghanistan. While even their neighbors have ended transmission of it (Iran in
2004 and India in 2014).
“Dubious Distinctions” by Zafar Mirza, Dawn Editorial 13-01-2023 3
 Hep C+ Blood Born diseases
◦ Hep C :
10 M living people are infected by Hep. C. Pakistan has highest number of patients of this virus.
Surpassing even China, India and Nigeria. Though it is a cheaply treatable disease.
◦ Cause of Hep C+ Other blood borne diseases : Reusage of disposable syringes.
◦ Highest number of injections are given in Pakistan in the world. 8-10 injections per person >>
94% of them r not even needed at all
This is due to:
◦ Unethical prescribing behavior.
◦ Patients demand
◦ Regulation of unethical medical practices by state.

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◦ 5th most burdened country due to Tuberculosis. 510,000 new patients every year + 15000 have
drug resistant TB.
◦ Currently we have 190,000 patients of HIV. 25,000 new patients added every Year.
◦ All these diseases are preventable and treatable .
◦ Causes :
◦ Due to poor social practices
◦ Non-availability of: Clean Air, Clean Drinking water and Proper nutrition.
◦ Pakistan stands at 4th most polluted country and Lahore stands to be the most polluted city
on planet Earth.
◦ Behavioural detriments to health: Pak under 15 most tobacco consuming countries.
◦ 19.1% about 42 Million population consumes tobacco in any form.
◦ Pak has a life expectancy of 67.7 years. We stand below 149 countries of the world.
Hongkong has highest life expectancy of 85.2 years.

“Dubious Distinctions” by Zafar Mirza, Dawn

Editorial 13-01-2023 5