A deepening healthcare crisis is gripping Rawalpindi, where overcrowded public hospitals, steep treatment costs, and the near-total absence of private-sector regulation are leaving thousands of residents with little access to meaningful medical care, according to a report by Dawn. The situation has deteriorated to the point where patients arrive before dawn simply to secure a place in queue at government facilities.

Public Hospitals Beyond Capacity

At major public facilities, including Benazir Bhutto Hospital, outpatient departments remain packed throughout the day. A junior doctor at the hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, described conditions that have become routine: 'Our OPD remains crowded every day and we fail to keep count of the number of patients we encounter on a daily basis. There simply aren\'t enough doctors or beds.'

The doctor added that many patients require detailed examinations, diagnostic tests, and follow-up consultations — services the hospital lacks the resources to reliably provide. Increasing population pressure has pushed public infrastructure well beyond its designed capacity, the report noted.

Private Care Out of Reach for Many

While private hospitals and clinics offer shorter waiting times, their costs have become prohibitive for a large section of the city\'s population. Consultation fees for a general physician range from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000, while specialist visits can cost anywhere between Rs 4,000 and Rs 7,000 or more. No standard pricing mechanism exists across facilities, according to the report.

Residents say the financial burden extends well beyond consultation fees. Mohammad Azeem, a private-sector employee who reportedly borrowed money to pay for his mother\'s treatment for a kidney infection, described the cumulative strain: 'It\'s not just the fee, it\'s the tests, the medicines and the follow-ups. Health has become a luxury.'

No Regulation, No Accountability

The absence of a standardised pricing or regulatory framework for private healthcare is a central grievance. Azeem noted: 'There is no regulation. Everyone charges what they want and it varies in different parts of the city.' Critics argue that without enforceable standards, private providers face no check on fee escalation, effectively creating a two-tier system where quality care is accessible only to those who can afford it.

What This Means Going Forward

The situation in Rawalpindi reflects a broader strain on Pakistan\'s urban healthcare infrastructure, where population growth has consistently outpaced investment in public health facilities. Without structural intervention — increased public hospital capacity, regulated private pricing, and expanded healthcare staffing — residents are likely to face worsening access conditions. Health policy advocates have long called for a standardised fee structure and independent oversight of private medical establishments, though no such framework has been announced for Rawalpindi as of this report.