Local to Global Human Development

Nurturing Tomorrow: Exploring the Impact of Healthcare Systems and National Policies on Maternal and Child Health By Fizza Javed* Infant mortality is one of the indicators by which we can tell about the condition of the people of any country. The infant mortality rate in Pakistan is 55 per thousand live births (1). Ensuring the health and well-being of a mother is the cornerstone of securing a healthy start for her infant. It's a critical link that profoundly impacts the growth, development, and even mortality of the baby. Several key aspects underscore this crucial relationship. Maternal nutrition plays a pivotal role. A mother's well-balanced diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding is more than just sustenance for herself—it's the primary source of vital nutrients that fuel the infant's growth and bolster their immunity. Equally significant are maternal health conditions. Pre-existing ailments or infections in the mother, such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, HI...

Pros and Cons of Telemedicine in Pakistan by Minal Zaman Cheema* Healthcare in Pakistan faces an array of challenges, including issues of accessibility, affordability, and quality of service. The country has a mixed healthcare system which includes both public and private healthcare facilities. The government-run public system is inadequately managed and includes hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centers. More often than not, these facilities face severe challenges of insufficient funding, outdated infrastructure, and a shortage of properly trained healthcare professionals. The private healthcare sector in Pakistan is relatively well-developed and better equipped, with more advanced and specialized services compared to the public ones, making them expensive and less accessible to lower-income populations. Pakistan faces a significant burden of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and hepatitis, in addition to non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases and d...