Archive · 27 Jul 2026
Pakistan Faces Critical Ventilator Shortage in ICUs
In Pakistan, there aren't enough ventilators in public hospitals, which means very sick people have to wait a long time for help.
This is because there are more people needing treatment than there are machines and trained staff.
Private hospitals have ventilators but charge a lot of money, so many people can't afford them.
The government is trying to build more facilities to help, but it's a big problem right now.
Pakistan's public hospitals face a severe ventilator shortage, leaving ICUs at full capacity.
Journalist Abid Raza Kazmi died due to the unavailability of a ventilator at PIMS.
PIMS has over 90 ventilators, but they are constantly in use, leading to long waiting lists.
Private hospitals charge up to Rs 300,000 per day for a ventilator bed, making treatment unaffordable for many.
The government is constructing a new medical block at PIMS to add 40 more ventilators.
- Who
- Critically ill patients in Pakistan, healthcare officials, and government authorities.
- What
- A severe shortage of ventilators in public hospitals leading to overwhelmed ICUs and long waiting lists.
- When
- The crisis is ongoing, highlighted by the recent death of journalist Abid Raza Kazmi.
- Where
- Major public hospitals in Islamabad, including PIMS and Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital.
- Why
- High demand due to population growth, reliance on imported equipment, and the high cost of private healthcare.
Public Healthcare System Strain
Private Healthcare Affordability
Access to Ventilators
Public Healthcare System Strain
Public hospitals are overwhelmed with critically ill patients, leading to long waiting lists and inadequate care.
Private Healthcare Affordability
Private hospitals offer ventilator beds but at exorbitant costs, making them unaffordable for many.
Resource Allocation
Public Healthcare System Strain
Public hospitals struggle with a shortage of trained ICU staff and delayed maintenance of ventilators.
Private Healthcare Affordability
Private hospitals can afford better resources but prioritize profitability over accessibility.
- Hospital
- Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS)
- Ventilators at PIMS
- 90+
- Ventilators at Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital
- 35
- Cost of Private Ventilator Bed
- Up to Rs 300,000 per day
- Population Served by PIMS
- Over 5 million
- New Medical Block Ventilators
- 40