Though Pakistan has several government-run hospitals with excellent medical professionals on board, there are not enough to facilitate an ever-increasing population of the country. Hence people resort to private hospitals for treatment. Here are some of the reasons why people opt for private care.
- Shorter queues: -
Government hospitals are typically low-cost, hence are overcrowded with patients most of the time. It takes a lot of time for a patient to get treated at a state-run hospital. On the other hand, one of the biggest private hospital facilities is that they are much more organized. Some hospitals give the appointment to patients so that they do not have to wait for long durations. Even in walk-in service, the queues are much shorter in private hospitals.
- Better room facilities: -
Rooms in private hospitals are of a much better standard than in government hospitals. As your health budget increases, the private hospital facilities also increase. You can even expect hotel-like service standards at some of the best private hospitals in the country, including the Aga Khan University Hospital.
- Advanced equipment: -
In obtaining equipment and machinery, there are a lot of bureaucratic procedures involved in government hospitals, including getting permits from several state departments and ministries. On the other hand, the competition to strive as the best healthcare provider forces private hospitals to make the most efficient use of science and technology, innovating in the field of medicine. Mostly they have the latest machinery and equipment, allowing better diagnosis of illness.
- More hospital staff to attend the patient: -
In a government hospital, the patients are left at the staff’s mercy to decide whether a patient needs to be treated urgently or not, as per the triage room analysis. Understaffing is another problem. Hence people are attended with huge delays at state hospitals. On the other hand, in private hospitals, patients are attended to well by the staff. At least the primary care treatment is immediately provided to the patient.
- Readily available doctors: -
Government hospitals have some of the best doctors in the country to their names. However, these doctors are more occupied with their other duties such as official meetings, post mortem duties, and other matters hence they tend to give superficial attention to the patients. On the other hand, in a private hospital, a patient can expect complete attention, time, and care from a doctor. Personalized care and better focus on patients are some of the most important private hospital facilities.
- Better maintenance of hygiene and cleanliness: -
Private hospitals, being profit-oriented, charge a good amount of fee to their patients. However, service efficiency is also their prime objective. That is why you are likely to find better ambiance, cleanliness, and overall a pleasant environment in private hospitals. On the other hand, government hospitals are dependent on government funds and charities. Hence cleanliness and hygiene are usually neglected in such hospitals. Therefore there is a greater chance of getting a hospital infection when visiting a government hospital as compared to a private one.
Overall, the quality of healthcare is much better with private hospitals, the reason why people opt for them.
