Unnecessary Medical Procedures in Pakistan: A Growing Crisis
In Pakistan, a troubling trend is emerging where patients are increasingly subjected to medical procedures that may not be necessary, driven by profit motives, regulatory shortcomings, and patient vulnerabilities. This issue came to light through a personal experience in Lahore, where a friend’s elderly mother was advised to undergo a costly cardiac procedure after a routine checkup flagged minor “abnormalities.”
A second opinion revealed the procedure was unwarranted, exposing a systemic problem that burdens patients financially, risks their health, and undermines trust in medicine. Understanding the causes and consequences of this trend is critical to addressing its impact on Pakistan‘s already strained healthcare landscape.
Commercialization of Healthcare and Profit-Driven Practices
The commercialization of healthcare is a key driver of this issue. Private hospitals and clinics, which dominate urban & rural healthcare, often operate as businesses prioritizing revenue over patient welfare. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ National Health Accounts for 2021-22, approximately 46.9% of total health expenditure in Pakistan is out-of-pocket, making patients lucrative targets for expensive tests like MRIs, CT scans, or invasive procedures.
A 2023 study published in JAMA Network Open estimated that low-value or unnecessary surgical procedures are prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, including Pakistan, often fueled by financial incentives.
A conversation with a Karachi-based surgeon revealed a troubling reality: some colleagues recommend procedures like appendectomies or hysterectomies to meet hospital revenue targets. This profit-driven model thrives in a system where patients, often lacking medical literacy, defer to doctors’ authority, creating a cycle of over-diagnosis and overtreatment.
Regulatory Gaps and Weak Medical Ethics Oversight
Regulatory gaps further compound the problem. The Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), tasked with overseeing medical practice, lacks robust mechanisms to enforce ethical standards. Unlike countries like India, where the Medical Council of India imposes stricter clinical guidelines, Pakistan has no centralized system to track or audit the necessity of procedures. This allows practitioners to order redundant tests or surgeries without scrutiny.
Cultural Beliefs Driving Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment
Cultural factors also contribute significantly. Many Pakistanis equate more tests or invasive procedures with higher-quality care, a perception that unscrupulous providers exploit. A 2023 survey by the Aga Khan University found that 65% of patients in urban Pakistan felt “reassured” by additional diagnostics, even when clinicians deemed them unnecessary, fueling demand that perpetuates the cycle of overuse.
The consequences of this trend are profound and multifaceted. Financially, unnecessary procedures place a heavy burden on families.
Consequences of Unnecessary Surgeries and Diagnostics in Pakistan
A single surgery in a private hospital can cost between PKR 100,000 and 500,000, a staggering amount when the average monthly household income is approximately PKR 50,000, according to 2024 data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics . For many, these costs lead to debt or poverty, exacerbating economic inequality. Health-wise, every surgery carries risks, including complications, infections, or prolonged recovery periods.
A 2023 report by the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences noted a 15% increase in post-surgical complications linked to non-essential procedures over the past five years. Additionally, the overuse of diagnostic tools like CT scans raises concerns about long-term health risks, such as increased cancer risk due to radiation exposure, as highlighted in a 2024 report on medical imaging.
Erosion of Trust in Pakistan’s Healthcare System
Perhaps the most insidious consequence is the erosion of trust in Pakistan’s healthcare system. Patients, like the Lahore friend’s mother, increasingly second-guess medical recommendations, leading to a paralyzing skepticism that undermines public health efforts.
This distrust can cause people to delay or avoid necessary care, fearing exploitation, which can have severe health implications. For instance, hesitancy to seek timely treatment could exacerbate conditions that require prompt intervention, further straining an already overburdened system.
Case Studies and Real-World Examples of Medical Exploitation
Recent discussions on platforms like X have highlighted related concerns, such as a 2025 post describing corruption in the medical profession, including unnecessary surgeries and financial incentives for tests. Another post referenced a tragic 2025 incident in Sadiqabad, Punjab, where 25 children had their kidneys removed under the pretext of gallstone surgery, underscoring the potential for extreme malpractice. While these examples point to ethical lapses, comprehensive data on the prevalence of unnecessary procedures in Pakistan remains limited, making it challenging to quantify the full scope of the issue.
Reforms Needed to Curb Unnecessary Medical Procedures in Pakistan
Addressing this crisis demands urgent action. The PMC must strengthen its oversight by enforcing stricter guidelines, such as mandating second opinions for major procedures and auditing high-cost diagnostics. Public awareness campaigns could empower patients to question recommendations and seek evidence-based care, reducing the cultural demand for excessive interventions.
Additionally, incentivizing ethical practice, through measures like tax breaks for transparent hospitals or penalties for overbilling, could realign the system’s priorities toward patient welfare. Comparisons with other countries, such as India’s more robust regulatory framework, suggest that stronger oversight is feasible and effective.
Restoring Trust in Pakistan’s Healthcare System
The rise of unnecessary surgeries and diagnostics in Pakistan reflects a healthcare system skewed toward profit over people. Without reform, this trend risks not only financial ruin for families but also a deeper crisis of confidence in medicine. By implementing stricter regulations, raising public awareness, and promoting ethical practices, Pakistan can restore trust and ensure healthcare serves its true purpose: saving lives, not draining wallets.
