KARACHI: Provincial Minister for Health Dr Azra Pechuho said that the Sindh government extended its full support to the private sector for promoting medical tourism across the country, aiming to benefit the local healthcare sector and its contribution to the national economy.
Speaking as a chief guest at the inauguration of the 21st Health Asia International Exhibition and Conferences on Thursday at Expo Center, the provincial minister said that the government maintained a major share in the country's healthcare sector, providing quality treatment not only to residents but also to overseas Pakistanis and expatriates in different public sector hospitals, mainly in Karachi.
She mentioned that the participation of foreign delegates and exhibitors in this event depicted positive development for the country's healthcare industry, adding that the role of the private sector is crucial and laudable.
Health experts and hospital caretakers unanimously vowed to promote medical tourism across the country at the conference session of the "Future Hospital – Inward Medical Tourism." They were of the view that Pakistani hospitals are doing treatments of Afghan and Iranian nationals which could easily be enhanced to SAARC countries through collaborative efforts of the government and the private.
Dr Abdul Bari, CEO of Indus Health Network, said Pakistani hospitals maintained a good standard of quality treatment for patients, including overseas Pakistanis and foreigners, provided that the security situation of the country improved in major cities.
Arshad Qaim Khani, CEO and Prime Minister of the Health Program, said that quality and affordable treatment is mandatory to promote medical tourism in the country. On the other hand, the government should provide logistics and security facilities for expatriates and foreign visitors. The healthcare sector needs to improve its image of the country and market services to attract patients from different countries.
Project Director Health Asia Exhibition and Conferences Farhan Anis said that the participation of local health experts and foreign delegates at the event will help the healthcare sector address its issues and challenges, elevating its standards to the next level.
He mentioned that various local companies have introduced made-in-Pakistan high-tech equipment, apparatus, and machines to exhibitors and visitors, which showed consistent progress and localization in the healthcare sector.
