Pakistan has the fifth largest population in the world and is also facing a heavy burden of disease. The negative determinants of health or risks to health are also on the rise, which is a cause for concern. The combination of these three factors is having a detrimental effect on the health of the nation. Pakistan’s population has grown from around 36 million in 1947 to around 220 million, and is projected to reach 350 million by 2050. This high rate of population growth is putting a strain on the country’s healthcare system, and is one of the reasons for the poor state of health in the country. Furthermore, Pakistan ranks fourth in Asia in terms of population size, which is an indication of the scale of the problem that the country is facing in terms of healthcare.

Pakistan has the second highest neonatal mortality rate (NMR) in the world, with 40 newborns dying within 28 days of life for every 1,000 live births. Only Lesotho has a higher NMR, with 44 deaths for every 1,000 live births. Pakistan has a similar NMR to South Sudan, which also has an NMR of 40. In contrast, countries such as Finland and Iran have much lower NMRs, with 1 and 8 deaths for every 1,000 live births respectively. Additionally, 37.6% of children under the age of five in Pakistan are stunted due to malnutrition. This puts Pakistan 13th globally in terms of child stunting, with only the poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa ranking lower. If not treated during the first 1,000 days of life, physical and mental stunting becomes irreversible. This is an entirely preventable and treatable condition, but in Pakistan it is a major issue. In comparison, Iran’s percentage of stunting is only 4.8%.

The poor health statistics of Pakistan are indicative of chronic negligence by the state. Despite the high population and heavy burden of disease, the government has not made enough effort to improve the healthcare system and address the negative determinants of health. This lack of attention and resources has led to poor health outcomes and a high rate of preventable deaths and illnesses. The high neonatal mortality rate and the high rate of child stunting are examples of this chronic negligence by the state and highlight the urgent need for the government to take action and address the issues in the healthcare system.