By: Dr. Anum Shafique
Illness makes a person vulnerable. Systems should not.
Yet, in reality, the experience often feels overwhelming. In our country, navigating the healthcare system is far from easy; instead of easing vulnerability, it often deepens it. Upon entering the system, one observes exhaustion on both sides—patients and healthcare providers alike.
It becomes evident that whenever there is asymmetry—where one party holds more information than the other—the less informed party ultimately pays the price.
The journey begins the moment one arrives. From the parking area to the waiting rooms, there are signs of fatigue everywhere: exhausted staff, patients standing in queues, all waiting for their turn. Even private hospitals are not entirely different. Being a private patient does not necessarily spare one from the process; the system treats everyone in much the same way.
A story comes to mind. A beggar once asked a banker why a cheque takes two days to clear when the branch is located right next to the bank building. The banker responded with an analogy: if someone dies in a graveyard, are they buried immediately? No—they are first taken home, prepared, bathed, dressed, carried by many, and only then buried. Similarly, regardless of who you are—private or public patient—you must go through the same process.
As one moves through this system, there are multiple layers of interaction: with fellow patients, with doctors, with pharmacy staff, and with support personnel. Each interaction carries its own context and expectations. One perspective suggests that since patients pay, they are entitled to efficient service. Another suggests that patients are at the mercy of the system and must remain patient, even when frustration builds.
In many cases, the experience feels less like receiving care and more like a test of patience.
The writer is a lecturer in finance at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi. A trained banker and lawyer, she holds a PhD in Finance and brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her work. Her research interests include financial markets, fintech innovation, and sustainable finance, with a focus on addressing real-world economic challenges in emerging economies like Pakistan.
