Pakistan Expat Health Insurance
With about 185 million residents, Pakistan is near the top of the charts worldwide in population, placing number six, but at nearly the bottom of the charts with regard to income, standard of living and social development. Currently a quarter of the population survives on less that $1.25US a day.
The constant threat and regular outbreak of violence, a weak democratic government that is proving powerless to control rebel forces within its borders, a desperately poor educational system, high illiteracy rates, unequal treatment of women, soaring inflation and high unemployment, and a long history of organized crime and black-market trade all add up to a paint a bleak picture for this country indeed.
Other inhibiting factors to progress in Pakistan are due to the fact that over 60 percent of the population is under the age of 25, a third of children are considered to be malnourished, and exploitative child labor is common. For many poor Pakistanis, as a result of the difficult living conditions and religious and ethnic propaganda, the extremist actions of the Taliban and al-Qaeda seem not so farfetched and as a result sympathy and outright support of their actions and attacks both inside and outside of Pakistan is common. This causes support and aid groups to be more and more leery of entering Pakistan in effort to provide assistance to the needy for fear of the risks to the health of the aid workers themselves and leads to an even further decline in the general living conditions of the already fragile society of people stuck living there.
Until recently, most foreigners living in Pakistan were diplomats, relief workers, and media personnel who are aware of the often dangerous conditions surrounding them. In the last few years, however a growing number of expatriates are relocating to Pakistan, primarily for employment reasons resulting from the injection of aid money and investment both from foreign states and corporations looking to bolster the national economy and profit from its man-made and natural resources and strategic location. It is the hope of many that this can help turn the tides on the situation that Pakistan is currently facing.
Pakistan’s Healthcare System and Medical Insurance
Under the care of the Ministry of Health and its sub-committees, Pakistan has a comprehensive commensurate health care policy that promises free care to all Pakistanis. By its own admission, implementation has been less than perfect however, and according to the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics' (PIDE) working paper entitled Health Care Services and Government Spending in Pakistan, “Pakistan’s health care system is inadequate, inefficient, and expensive; and comprises an under-funded and inefficient public sector along with a mixed, expensive and unregulated private sector”. As a consequence of the quality and cost of care, most dignitaries and government officials are found to go abroad when in need of medical treatment as the offerings of their home country are not satisfactory.
While on paper it may seem that the mere fact that there are nearly a thousand hospitals in Pakistan is a positive factor, the reality is due to the enormous population, and the sheer volume of patients in need of care is overwhelming the Pakistani medical system. Easily treatable diseases such as respiratory infections and diarrhea are extremely common and a major killer in Pakistan, malnutrition is rampant and it is estimated that about one in nine women will develop breast cancer due to lack of screening facilities, usually with fatal consequences
Along with overcrowding the conditions of the public hospitals, due to severe underfunding by the government (health care only accounts for around two percent of its annual spending), the sub-par training of medic personnel, a gross lack of modern equipment, and scarcity of some common pharmaceuticals all adds up to a very weak support network for the already generally unhealthy populace. Reports found that electricity was intermittent, water was frequently turned off for hours, there were not sufficient beds for the patients who were then laid out in hallways, and that general uncleanness prevails throughout many medical facilities.
Most Pakistanis can't afford health care, or live too far away to access it. Many therefore choose to wait, often until their condition is too severe for treatment, to visit a doctor, clinic, or hospital. Their other alternatives are “neighborhood clinics” or homeopathic treatments, but it should be pointed out that these “practitioners” have no medical training whatsoever, and thus largely do more harm than good, only seeking to profit from the misfortune of the sick around them. Natural disasters, including a 7.6 magnitude earthquake in 2005 in Kashmir which destroyed over 80 percent of the region’s medical care centers, can have a severe impact on the Pakistani Healthcare system. This type of misfortune along with threats of violence and terrorism in crowded areas, including hospitals, has curtailed the efforts of the well intentioned to provide higher standards of care in the country. Groups such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization are very active in Pakistan, but as their reports indicate, foreign efforts alone cannot turn the health care system around. It will demand hard work and cooperation on the part of the government and Pakistan's private medical industry.
There are numerous private medical facilities in Pakistan, and reports on the conditions and treatments available vary widely. It is generally held that the best treatment is available from these sources, and that the conditions in which they are offered are much more favorable to outsiders, but keeping in mind the general situation of the country outside their walls, it would be a mistake to expect that any treatments beyond what is necessary should be sought from them. The low availability of medicines throughout the country and weak network of infrastructure coupled with risk of violent outbursts makes putting oneself in the custodianship of one of these outlets for long periods of time dangerous. When treatment is required from private sources in Pakistan the cost is frequently very high, especially for foreigners as they are perceived as wealthy and are commonly a target for easy profit by unscrupulous care centers.
Pakistan Medical Insurance Concerns
Conflicting information abounds with regard to the coverage provided by Pakistan's health insurance program. The government promises care to all citizens free of charge, yet almost everyone is expected to pay for any care when they leave the hospital, and reimbursement is unheard of.
As a result, private Pakistan medical insurance is an appealing alternative, but due to crushing poverty it is out of reach for almost all but the wealthy. While the “government insured” can only go to public health care outlets, private care facilities are open to all who can afford them. This is acceptable if covered by a private Pakistan Medical Insurance Policy or International Health Insurance Plan as the insured will be protected against the majority of the cost and only be liable for the agreed upon co-payment. Additionally, a Pakistani health insurance plan tends to insulate the insured from overcharging for services because all payment is routed through the coverage provider and not directly put placed on the patient.
Due to the poor conditions of the public facilities and the risk of threats to safety along with the high cost for out of pocket treatments, most western countries governments' strongly urge all travelers to arrange a comprehensive traveler's or expatriate medical insurance plan prior to arrival in Pakistan and always check to ensure that all your planned activities and destinations are covered by the policy, if possible before treatments at a private health care facility it is best to ensure that they will honor the coverage and get documentation of their commitment.
Pakistan Travel Advice
Petty theft is common, as is the sale of stolen goods on the black market in Pakistan, including credit card fraud and passport theft or forgery. Crime and punishment are very strict in Pakistan and such things as taking photos of “sensitive areas”, as determined by the government, may carry penalties including imprisonment. The Muslim sentiments in Pakistan are deep and being found guilty of blasphemy is a crime punishable by death according to law. Further, a search on most government travel advisory boards will provide a list of crimes and incidents against outsiders that ranges from religious intolerance to kidnapping and death. The risk of terrorism in the country is considered extremely high, with hundreds killed or injured by bombing or gunfire in 2011 alone.
Most foreign nationals will require a visa for entry to Pakistan and should consult their local embassy or consulate office for details. For persons staying longer than one year, a certificate stating they are HIV-negative is required for visa processing. Due to ongoing conflict with India, travel between the two countries is difficult. In many cases, travel within Pakistan is difficult as roads are largely unimproved outside of large cities and public transport is not reliable. Recommended vaccinations prior to travel include yellow fever, malaria, hepatitis A and B (all strains from A to E are common), typhoid, dengue fever, and rabies along with all regular childhood preventable disease vaccines and booster shots. Travelers should practice diligent hygiene as sanitation and clean water are scarce. Avoid tap water, and only use boiled, filtered, or chemically treated water.
Pakistan Expat Health Insurance
Unfortunately Pakistan suffers periodical acts of terrorism and religious extremism meaning that taking appropriate precautions and trying to protect yourself. No matter the length of stay, risks to health and safety should not be marginalized by lack of consideration for your own well-being. Global Health Insurance offers Pakistan Expat Health Insurance and International Health Insurance and which can cover you in cases of serious emergency for necessities such as Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation to your home country. Contact Global Health Insurance to have an Insurance Expert assist you in selecting the Pakistan expat health insurance plan than that is best suited to your needs.
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| do you have any insurance plan for Ivf treatment? Like if the first attempt is not successful then is there any plan to cover the next attempt? | |
