Pakistan Behind Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka In Healthcare: Lancet Study
Faizan Hashmi Published May 24, 2018 | 06:39 PM
Pakistan ranks 154th among 195 countries in terms of quality and accessibility of healthcare, behind its South Asian counterparts Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka, according to a Lancet study
London, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th May, 2018) : Pakistan ranks 154th among 195 countries in terms of quality and accessibility of healthcare, behind its South Asian counterparts Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka, according to a Lancet study.
The study, carried out by the leading medical journal The Lancet, mentioned that Pakistan has seen improvement in healthcare access and quality since 1990, with its HAQ index increasing from 26.8 in 1990 to 37.6 in 2016.
But despite the gains, Pakistan continues to lag behind India, which ranks 145th, China (48), Sri Lanka (71), Bangladesh (133) and Bhutan (134). Afghanistan, ranked 191st, fares far worse. According to the study, Pakistan performed poorly in tackling cases of tuberculosis, diarrhoeal diseases, neonatal diseases, uterine cancer, leukemia, among others.
The five countries with the highest levels of healthcare access and quality (in 2016) were Iceland (97.1 points), Norway (96.6), the Netherlands (96.1), Luxembourg (96.0), and Finland and Australia (each with 95.9).
The countries with the lowest scores were the Central African Republic (18.
6), Somalia (19.0), Guinea-Bissau (23.4), Chad (25.4), and Afghanistan (25.9). The study pointed out that subnational inequalities were particularly pronounced in countries such as China and India, although high-income countries, including England and the US, also saw considerable local gaps in performance.
"These results emphasized the urgent need to improve both access to and quality of healthcare across service areas and for all populations; otherwise, health systems could face widening gaps between the health services they provide and the disease burden experienced by local communities," it stated.
The study used an index to measure the quality and accessibility of healthcare, based on 32 causes of death which should be preventable with effective medical care. In 2016, the global average healthcare access and quality score was 54.4, increasing from 42.4 points in 2000. Each of the 195 countries and territories assessed were given a score between 0-100.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Saka and Odegaard start for Arsenal, Guerreiro in Bayern midfield
Qatar PM says re-evaluating Israel-Hamas mediation role
Govt spokesperson terms allegations of PTI's Marwat against Saudi Arabia 'heinou ..
Minister appreciate UAE’s support for Pakistan economic challenges
Manchester City v Real Madrid Champions League starting line-ups
MIGA's support Pakistan in attracting foreign investments: Federal Minister for ..
Walker returns to captain Man City for Real Madrid clash
Action taken against price list violations in Khanewal district
DC chairs review meeting of DEG
Turkey accuses Israel's Netanyahu of using war 'to stay in power'
Pakistan ranked 5th most vulnerable country to climate change. Tirmizi
Nadal comeback ends in Barcelona Open second round
More Stories From Health
-
World Hemophilia Day observed to underscore importance of providing comprehensive care
2 hours ago -
Six in a family with heart on the 'right side'
2 hours ago -
Diabetic disease increasing rapidly : Dr. Noor Elahi Memon
4 hours ago -
World Hemophilia Day observed
7 hours ago -
ATC dismisses bail petition of doctor involved in illegal kidneys transplant
8 days ago -
Dr. Shehzad warns against deviation from WHO guidelines on anti-smoking
8 days ago
-
Health activists express concerns over attempts to derail tobacco control
10 days ago -
UHS declares MBBS first prof, MS urology exam results
19 days ago -
Increased diagnostic testing for drug resistance
25 days ago -
IRD releases groundbreaking results of end TB programme
27 days ago -
Increased diagnostic testing for drug resistance TB will enhance patients’ treatment outcome
1 month ago -
JRF to provide insulin to underprivileged diabetic patients
1 month ago