Lahore: Punjab’s healthcare system has witnessed significant expansion over the last fifty years with substantial increases in hospitals, medical workforce, and patient care utilization, according to a recent analysis of data from the Bureau of Statistics Punjab. The growth in healthcare facilities and services has broadly kept pace with the rising population, though the demand has surged more rapidly.
According to Gilani Research Foundation, the number of hospitals in Punjab increased from 204 in 1972 to 391 in 2021. Dispensaries expanded from 1,098 to 1,411 over the same period. The number of doctors saw a dramatic rise from approximately 5,300 to 236,789, while the number of nurses grew from 2,780 to 83,760. Total patients treated annually increased from 13.6 million to 148.1 million, indicating a more than tenfold surge in patient volumes.
While the expansion of healthcare infrastructure has been steady, it remains relatively modest when compared to the rapid increase in population and healthcare demand. This suggests a reliance on higher utilization of existing facilities rather than proportionate infrastructure expansion.
The healthcare workforce, particularly doctors, experienced the most significant growth, reflecting increased investment in medical education and a shift toward service-intensive healthcare delivery. However, hospital bed capacity, which rose from 12,836 to 59,744, has not kept pace with patient volumes, indicating ongoing capacity constraints.
The public sector continues to dominate healthcare provision in Punjab, but private sector participation has grown, especially in urban areas. This indicates a mixed system where public infrastructure is complemented by private sector contributions.
Overall, while Punjab’s healthcare system has expanded significantly in infrastructure, workforce, and service delivery, patient demand has outpaced physical infrastructure growth. This places ongoing pressure on the system, highlighting the need for further investment and policy attention to address structural constraints and meet rising healthcare needs.