The Healthcare Devices Association of Pakistan (HDAP) on Tuesday voiced profound concern over the imposition of a 25-30% sales tax on essential healthcare products, including cardiac equipment, dialysis machinery, and diagnostic kits, alongside the removal of tax exemptions for charitable hospitals.
In a statement, HDAP Chairman Masood Ahmed said the imposition of this hefty sales tax on essential healthcare products is a devastating blow to our healthcare system. It threatens to make vital medical treatments unaffordable for millions of Pakistanis, particularly those from low-income families.
He said: “This cold-hearted policy change will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations who rely on affordable healthcare to survive. Charitable hospitals, already operating on tight budgets, now face a minimum 30% increase in costs.”
Mr Ahmed said that the prices for essential diagnostic tests and treatments for diseases such as cancer, hepatitis, and heart conditions were already skyrocketing, rendering them unaffordable for the majority of Pakistanis. Public hospitals, already strained, will struggle under increased financial pressure, limiting their capacity to serve patients effectively. Middle and low-income families will bear the brunt of rising private healthcare costs, potentially delaying or foregoing necessary treatments, leading to exacerbated health issues and higher long-term expenses.
The HDAP emphasizes that healthcare is a fundamental right, and this policy shift represents a profound injustice to the people of Pakistan. It is imperative that the government takes immediate action to reverse these damaging policies, he added.
“We urgently call on the government to reverse these harmful policies. The HDAP called upon the government to prioritize the health and well-being of its citizens and respond swiftly to rectify this crisis before irreparable harm is done.
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