Pakistan Army organized a free medical camp for the people of Allahabad and its neighboring villages in Chunian tehsil of district Kasur. Specialist doctors and paramedical staff examined and treated hundreds of people. ECG and ultrasound test services were also provided with free medicines and nutritional supplements. More than 1300 patients benefited from the free camp. Doctors and paramedical staff also gave awareness lectures on hygiene, a balanced diet, and the prevention and treatment of various diseases including dengue.
Pakistan’s health sector is a matter of concern, especially for the middle-class and low-income segments of society, which cannot afford inflated rates of essential medicines, high doctor’s fees, and the cost of lab work. The recent rise in the prices of 146 essential life-saving medicines has further burdened the populace. Meanwhile, inflation and devaluation of the local currency have strained local drug production making essential medications unaffordable for the poor. Although, the newly elected governments in Punjab and KP have restored the Sehat Card Plus to provide free-of-cost indoor healthcare to each household up to one million rupees, yet outdoor treatment affordability remains a key challenge for many Pakistanis seeking healthcare. High out-of-pocket expenses, coupled with limited or no health insurance coverage, make quality medical services a luxury for a common Pakistani during this era of economic frailty.
Amid such conditions, the free medical camps by the Armed Forces medical teams and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in remote areas are no less than blessings for the poor masses. The Armed Forces particularly Pakistan Army often organized free medical camps in rural areas in Balochistan, Sindh, KP, and Erstwhile FATA to share the burden of the government and provide some healthcare relief to the masses. It is a highly adorable practice that not only strengthens the bond between the armed forces and the public but also removes doubts and nullifies anti-state and anti-military propaganda by the enemy. Hence, such endeavors not only continue but must be expanded to other parts of the country for the common good and in the larger interest of the country.
