In 1992, during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (2015 to 2030), committing to “good health and well-being.” Unfortunately, health is not a national priority in Balochistan, hindered by the unavailability of medical equipment, a shortage of well-trained medical staff and nurses, and the poor condition of healthcare facilities.

Numerous regions in Balochistan face challenges in accessing hospitals, compelling patients to travel considerable distances for treatment. This not only hampers prevention efforts but also contributes to a significant number of preventable deaths.

Makran, the third-largest city in Balochistan with a population of 213,557, is grappling with a severe lack of healthcare facilities and a shortage of medicines in hospitals. In Dasht Kudan, situated between Turbat and Gawadar, a pregnant woman faced death due to the absence of a hospitalization system. She had to travel 40 kilometers to reach a hospital in Kech, but the lack of transportation infrastructure led to the tragic loss of her baby.

To address the healthcare crisis in Balochistan, the government must prioritize enhancing healthcare infrastructure, allocating adequate funding, ensuring the availability of healthcare professionals, and supplying a sufficient quantity of medicines. Healthcare departments should provide necessary equipment to support the overall well-being of all citizens. The crisis demands immediate and comprehensive attention to save lives and build a resilient healthcare system.