Top 5 Health Problems in Pakistan

In a developing country like ours, health issues can be difficult to treat because of the economic conditions of the country. World Health Organization has ranked Pakistan 122th out of the 190 countries in the world, in terms of health care. The deteriorated condition of healthcare can be estimated from the infant mortality rate here, which is the third highest in the world.

Here is a list of top health problems in Pakistan:

1-Malaria:

Malaria is caused by mosquitoes. With more than 60 million people living below the poverty line, and a high percentage of people living in the slums, the prevalence of this disease comes with no surprise.

Unclean water and unsanitary conditions are the breeding grounds for mosquitoes which are very common in rural areas. Moreover, due to unmonitored use of anti-malarial medication, there is prevalence of drug-resistant malaria.

2-Tuberculosis:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Pakistan is one of the top five nations that have a high prevalence of tuberculosis. This deadly illness has also turned into a drug-resistant disease and one that requires long term medication (9 months).

It spreads through sneezing and coughing, and if not treated timely, it can be fatal. Pakistan is one of the nations that are still fighting the battle with this deadly disease. A big reason for the non-eradication of this disease is the lack of patient compliance in adhering to medication regimen—as it is very lengthy and has a number of side effects.

3-Ischemic heart disease:

A combination of genetic factors in Asians and unhealthy lifestyle makes Pakistanis prone to ischemic heart disease. It is one of the commonest causes of death in our country. In rural areas, people don’t have sufficient resources to treat their conditions. Thus, further health problems and deaths occur.

4-Stroke:

Pakistan has a high prevalence of stroke. Every year 350,000 cases of stroke are reported here. Moreover, it is one of the commonest causes of death. Chronic stress, heart diseases like atrial fibrillation, and unhealthy lifestyle make stroke a common disease in our population.

There is a need for educating people about the stressors of stroke, and the potentially modifiable risk factors so that disease load could be reduced. Compliance to medication, and seeking treatment in a timely manner could help reduce the mortality associated with stroke.  

5-Diabetes:

The disease load of diabetes in Pakistan is more than 7 million right now. Unawareness regarding the disease, lack of nutritious food, and genetic factors are all causes of this steep incline. Studies predict that by 2030, Pakistan will be among the top 5 countries in the world with the largest diabetic population. Again, unhealthy lifestyle choices and lack of physical activity among the population are some of the causes of high prevalence of this disease.

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