As Pakistan looks for ways to improve healthcare, expanding health insurance has become an important goal. Although government programs have helped millions of people receive medical treatment, many Pakistanis still have to pay hospital bills and medical expenses from their own pockets. Experts believe that better insurance coverage can reduce this financial burden and improve access to quality healthcare.
In an interview with ProPakistani, Zain Ibrahim shared his views on the current state of health insurance in Pakistan. He discussed the challenges facing the sector, the lessons learned from existing government programs, and the steps needed to make health insurance available to more people across the country.
Zain said Pakistan’s health insurance industry is still in its early stages compared to many other developing countries. While government programs like the Sehat Sahulat Program have expanded healthcare access for low-income families, a large number of people still do not have any health insurance. As a result, many families have to use their savings, borrow money, or sell assets to pay for medical treatment.
He explained that Pakistan has a mixed healthcare system. Government-backed insurance programs mainly help lower-income families, while private health insurance is mostly available to people working in companies in urban areas. However, the country still faces several major challenges. A large number of workers are employed in the informal sector, where employers do not provide health insurance. Many people also have unstable incomes, making it difficult to pay insurance premiums regularly.
Another major problem is the lack of awareness and trust. According to Zain, many Pakistanis do not fully understand how health insurance works, while others have had poor experiences with insurance claims. This has reduced public confidence in insurance companies and slowed the growth of the industry.
He said that affordability is only one part of the problem. Limited access to insurance services, especially in rural areas, and a lack of simple insurance products also make it difficult for more people to buy health coverage.
To improve the situation, Zain suggested stronger cooperation between the government and private companies. He said targeted subsidies for low-income families, better public awareness campaigns, and stronger public-private partnerships could help expand insurance coverage. He also recommended that employers in the formal sector should be encouraged or required to provide health insurance to their workers.
For rural areas and people working in the informal economy, he believes microinsurance could be an effective solution. These low-cost insurance plans could be offered through mobile apps, mobile wallets, microfinance institutions, and local community organizations. He added that making the enrollment and claims process simpler would help build public trust.
According to Zain, increasing health insurance coverage would bring major benefits to Pakistan’s economy and healthcare system. Families would be better protected from unexpected medical costs, allowing them to avoid taking loans or selling property during health emergencies. Better insurance coverage would also encourage people to seek medical treatment earlier, improving overall health outcomes.
He said hospitals and healthcare providers would also benefit because insurance creates a more stable source of funding. This would allow hospitals to invest in better equipment, improved facilities, modern technology, and specialized medical services. Insurance can also improve healthcare quality by encouraging better record keeping, standardized treatments, and greater accountability.
Zain added that a healthier population contributes to economic growth because healthy people can work more productively, take fewer sick days, and support long-term national development. A growing insurance industry would also create jobs, attract investment, encourage innovation, and improve financial inclusion across the country.
Talking about the Sehat Sahulat Program, Zain said it has shown that large-scale health insurance is possible in Pakistan with strong government support. The program has helped millions of people receive hospital treatment and introduced many families to health insurance for the first time.
However, he said expanding the program further will require careful planning. As more people use healthcare services, government spending also increases, making sustainable funding essential. He stressed that financial assistance should continue to reach the people who need it most while staying within available government resources.
He also highlighted the importance of working closely with both public and private hospitals. Maintaining quality healthcare while controlling costs requires clear payment systems, proper treatment guidelines, and regular monitoring. He suggested that better use of insurance claims data could help improve pricing, identify wasteful spending, and strengthen the overall management of health insurance programs.
Looking ahead, Zain believes Pakistan should gradually expand insurance beyond hospital treatment to include preventive healthcare and primary care services. This would help prevent illnesses before they become serious and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
Finally, Zain explained the important role of actuaries in building a strong health insurance system. Actuaries are experts who use data and financial analysis to calculate risks and set fair insurance prices. They help insurance companies design affordable products, estimate future healthcare costs, and ensure that insurance programs remain financially sustainable.
He said actuaries also support government policies by studying healthcare trends, predicting future medical expenses, and designing better payment systems for hospitals. Their work helps insurers, regulators, and policymakers make informed decisions that can expand health insurance coverage without creating financial problems.
Overall, Zain Ibrahim believes Pakistan has made progress in expanding health insurance, but much more needs to be done. Through better government policies, stronger partnerships with the private sector, improved public awareness, affordable insurance products, and modern digital solutions, the country can build a healthcare system that provides financial protection and quality medical care for millions more Pakistanis.
