🇵🇰 Pakistan Healthcare Guide
Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi have competent private hospitals — Shaukat Khanum and Aga Khan University Hospital are internationally recognised — but the gap between these cities and the tribal areas, Balochistan, and rural Sindh is stark, with many areas having only basic dispensaries. English is spoken by most doctors in major city private hospitals, but outside these centres, carrying a medical summary in Urdu helps bridge a communication gap that can slow down treatment.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 115
- Healthcare system: mixed
- Average GP visit: $10 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: high
Healthcare overview
Pakistan’s private hospitals in Karachi (Aga Khan University Hospital), Lahore (Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, Doctors Hospital), and Islamabad (Shifa International) provide strong specialist care at very affordable prices. Aga Khan is one of South Asia’s most respected institutions. The public system is free but overwhelmed. Rural Pakistan (Balochistan, FATA, northern Gilgit-Baltistan) has minimal healthcare, and Gilgit-Baltistan’s mountain remoteness rivals the Himalayas.
Aga Khan University Hospital
AKUH in Karachi is one of South Asia’s most respected hospitals, with comprehensive specialist departments and international-standard care.
Gilgit-Baltistan remoteness
The Karakoram Highway and trekking areas around K2 and Nanga Parbat are extremely remote from any hospital. Evacuation to Islamabad can take days.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Malaria prophylaxis
- Rabies
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Pakistani pharmacies are abundant in cities and carry medications at very low prices, with many items available over the counter. Quality varies: stick to products from established Pakistani manufacturers (Getz Pharma, Searle Pakistan, Sami Pharmaceuticals). Having your medication list with generic names helps pharmacists match from local brands.
Reputable local manufacturers
Getz Pharma, Searle Pakistan, and Sami Pharmaceuticals produce reliable generics. Ask for these brands when purchasing locally.
Tips for travellers
AKUH in Karachi and Shaukat Khanum in Lahore (one of the region’s top cancer centres) provide comprehensive specialist care. Islamabad’s Shifa International covers the north. For conditions beyond Pakistani capacity, Bangkok, Singapore, and Dubai are the typical referral destinations. Having your treatment history accessible in English helps Pakistani specialists continue your care, as English is the medical documentation language.
Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital
Shaukat Khanum in Lahore is one of the most respected cancer centres in South Asia, with subsidised treatment programmes.