Group CEO of GAK HealthCare International and Dr Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Yasir Khan Niazi, has called for comprehensive reforms in Pakistan’s healthcare and medical education sectors, proposing stronger public–private partnerships, expanded health insurance coverage and investment in medical tourism and education exports.
Speaking to a delegation from the Islamabad Press Club’s Governing Body, headed by Secretary Finance NPC Abid Abbadi, Niazi said Pakistan needs practical policy reforms to improve access to affordable healthcare, strengthen educational standards and develop both sectors as competitive international industries.
Calls For Broader Health Insurance Coverage
Niazi appreciated government efforts to expand universal health coverage through insurance programmes but noted that households continue to bear a significant share of healthcare expenses.
According to the latest available World Health Organization data published through the World Bank, out-of-pocket payments accounted for 53 per cent of Pakistan’s current health expenditure in 2023.
He identified limited outpatient department (OPD) coverage as a major gap in existing insurance arrangements. He said insurance schemes should extend beyond hospital admissions to include medical consultations, diagnostic tests, medicines, preventive care and early diagnosis.
Broader coverage, he added, could reduce financial pressure on households and encourage people to seek medical attention before health conditions become more serious.
Urges Affordable Medical Education And Stronger Standards
Addressing medical education, Niazi expressed concern over rising study costs and the growing number of Pakistani students pursuing medical degrees abroad.
He said overseas education places additional financial pressure on families and contributes to foreign exchange outflows. He also highlighted concerns about inconsistent educational standards and the international recognition of qualifications from some destinations.
He called for affordable, high-quality medical education, stronger accreditation systems and greater institutional capacity to retain Pakistani students while attracting international enrolments.
Medical Tourism And Education Exports Could Attract Foreign Exchange
Presenting a broader economic vision, Niazi proposed dedicated healthcare and education export programmes, with medical tourism and international student recruitment as key priorities.
He said Pakistan could attract international patients by improving clinical standards, expanding specialised medical services and establishing effective patient facilitation and international referral systems.
Similarly, medical colleges and universities could attract overseas students through internationally competitive programmes, reliable quality assurance and affordable fee structures.
Niazi said foreign exchange generated through international patients and overseas students could strengthen the financial sustainability of healthcare and educational institutions.
He suggested that appropriate policy mechanisms could allow institutions to use part of this revenue to subsidise treatment for local patients and make education more affordable for Pakistani students.
Calls For Stronger Public–Private Partnerships
Niazi emphasised the need for closer cooperation between the government and private sector to develop investment-friendly policies and improve service delivery.
He urged policymakers to engage healthcare providers, educational institutions and industry stakeholders to address regulatory challenges and establish consistent standards.
He said regulation should promote quality, accountability and innovation while supporting responsible private-sector investment and avoiding unnecessary administrative barriers.
Offers Subsidised Healthcare For Journalists
During the interaction, Niazi offered to facilitate subsidised healthcare services for journalists and their dependents through GAK HealthCare International.
He also proposed regular health awareness sessions at the Islamabad Press Club covering disease prevention, early warning signs and timely medical intervention.
The proposal also included periodic medical camps offering screening, diagnostic and treatment services for journalists.
Concluding his remarks, Niazi said healthcare and medical education should be developed not only as essential social sectors but also as contributors to economic growth and foreign exchange earnings.
He stressed that Pakistan’s progress would ultimately depend on its ability to provide affordable, quality healthcare and education to its population while building institutions capable of competing internationally.