Pakistan is witnessing a sharp and continuous rise in the costs of health and education services, placing increasing pressure on families already struggling with inflation. Many households say these essential sectors have become some of the hardest to afford as expenses rise faster than incomes.
Medical services have become particularly expensive, with consultation fees, diagnostic tests, and specialist charges all increasing across private hospitals and clinics. Rising operational costs, expensive imported equipment, and overall inflation have pushed healthcare providers to revise their rates upward, creating new barriers for patients seeking timely treatment.
Families also report significant increases in the price of essential medical items such as medicines, laboratory tests, and emergency services. This trend has forced many people to delay treatment or opt for lower-quality services, raising concerns among health experts about long-term public health risks and reduced access to necessary care.
Education services are showing a similar trend, with private schools, colleges, and academies raising their fees in recent months. Parents say that tuition fees, transport charges, and school supplies have all become more expensive, making it increasingly difficult to provide quality education for their children.
Low and middle-income families are feeling the greatest impact, often having to cut back on other essentials just to meet rising education expenses. Many parents fear that if the trend continues, quality education may become unaffordable for a large segment of the population, widening existing social and economic gaps.
Experts warn that without immediate government intervention to regulate fees and improve public-sector services, access to quality health and education may become increasingly limited. They stress that these two sectors form the backbone of national development, and rising costs threaten long-term progress if not addressed effectively.
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