🏥 Healthcare Overview

System: Mixed public-private system. Public healthcare is underfunded. Private hospitals in major cities offer reasonable care. Quality varies greatly by region.

Quality: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)

Private hospitals in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi offer adequate care. Public hospitals are overcrowded. Many Pakistani doctors train abroad and speak English. For serious conditions, medical evacuation to Dubai, Singapore, or Thailand may be necessary.

💡 Medical Tourism

Pakistan is not typically a medical tourism destination, though some Pakistani diaspora return for affordable dental and cosmetic procedures.

🏨 Hospitals & Clinics Near Tourist Areas

Recommended facilities for travelers — English-speaking staff available at most listed locations.

Shifa International Hospital 🗣️ English spoken

📍 Near: Islamabad (H-8 sector, near Faisal Mosque area)

📞 +92 51 846 4646

Leading private hospital. JCI accredited. English-speaking staff. 24/7 emergency.

Aga Khan University Hospital 🗣️ English spoken

📍 Near: Karachi (Stadium Road)

📞 +92 21 111 911 911

Pakistan's top-ranked hospital. International standards. Excellent English service.

Doctors Hospital Lahore 🗣️ English spoken

📍 Near: Lahore (Johar Town, accessible from Mughal-era sites)

📞 +92 42 111 626 262

Modern private hospital. Good emergency department. English-speaking doctors.

Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Gilgit 🗣️ English spoken

📍 Near: Gilgit (Karakoram Highway/Hunza region)

📞 +92 5811 920 426

Best hospital in the northern areas. Military hospital open to civilians for emergencies. Critical for Karakoram/Hunza trekking injuries.

💊 Pharmacy Guide

Access: easy

Hours: Pharmacies open daily 9am-10pm in cities. Many 24/7 pharmacies in major cities.

Prescription rules: Very relaxed prescription requirements. Most medications available OTC. Some controlled substances may require a prescription in practice. Bring quality medications from home.

Available Over-the-Counter

  • paracetamol (Panadol — ubiquitous)
  • ibuprofen (Brufen)
  • oral rehydration salts
  • anti-diarrheal medication (Imodium)
  • antibiotics (widely available OTC)
  • antihistamines
  • basic first aid supplies

🗣️ Useful Pharmacy Phrases

💡 Handy phrases at the pharmacy

  • I need medicine for a headache: مجھے سع دعد کی دوائی چاہیے (Mujhe sar-dard ki dawai chahiye)
  • I have a stomachache: میرے پیٹ میں دعد ہے (Mere pait mein dard hai)
  • I'm allergic to...: مجھے...سے الرجی ہے (Mujhe...se allergy hai)
  • Where is the nearest pharmacy?: قریب ترین میڈیکل سٚوع ڊہاں ہے؟ (Qareeb tareen medical store kahan hai?)
  • I need a doctor: مجھے ڈاڊٚع کی ؜عوعت ہے (Mujhe doctor ki zaroorat hai)

💡 Tips

Pharmacies (dawakhana/medical store) are everywhere. D. Watson's, Fazal Din's, and Shaheen Chemist are reputable chains. Most medications available without prescription at very low prices. Bring essential medications from home to ensure quality.

🏪 Pharmacy Chains You’ll See

Look for these storefronts:

  • Servaid Pharmacy — Blue Servaid logo. Major cities
  • Fazaldin's Pharmacy — Established chain in Lahore and Karachi. Punjab and Sindh

💊 Common OTC Medications by Local Brand

Knowing the local brand name makes asking for common over-the-counter medications much easier.

  • paracetamol/acetaminophen → Crocin or Calpol
    Crocin (GSK) is the dominant Indian-subcontinent brand. Calpol is for kids.
  • ibuprofen → Brufen or Combiflam
    Brufen (Abbott) is the most common; Combiflam is paracetamol+ibuprofen combo.
  • loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium or Roko
    Available OTC at most pharmacies.

💉 Medications & Restrictions

Carry a doctor's letter in English for all prescription medications, especially controlled substances and alcohol-containing medicines. Keep in original packaging.

Controlled / Restricted Substances

🚫 Watch out for these

  • ⚠️ Opioid medications — Bring documentation.
  • 🚫 Cannabis/CBD products — Cannabis is illegal in Pakistan. Severe penalties.
  • ⚠️ Alcohol-based medications — Pakistan is an Islamic republic — bring documentation for alcohol-containing medicines.

🦷 Dental Care

Availability: Dental care available in major cities. Private dental clinics in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi offer good care.

Typical cost range: PKR 1,000-3,000 ($3-10) for consultation; PKR 3,000-10,000 ($10-35) for fillings

Very affordable dental care in cities. Quality varies — choose established clinics with qualified dentists.

🦷 Dental emergency?

Major private hospitals have dental departments for emergencies.

🛡️ Travel Insurance

⚠️ Strongly recommended

Average cost: $25-50/week

💡 Tip

Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is ESSENTIAL, especially for northern areas (Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan). Ensure coverage for adventure activities (trekking, mountaineering) and helicopter evacuation.

📋 How to File an Insurance Claim

Private hospitals provide English-language documentation and receipts. Military hospitals provide basic documentation. Keep all records. Medical evacuation from northern areas can be very expensive — ensure insurance is notified promptly.

💵 Typical Out-of-Pocket Costs

Estimated cash prices (USD):

  • Doctor visit (private clinic): $10-30
  • ER visit (no admission): $40-150
  • Overnight hospital stay: $60-250
  • Ambulance call-out: $20-80

Estimated typical out-of-pocket costs at private or international facilities. Public-system rates can be much lower (or free for residents). Actual costs vary by city, facility, and exchange rate.

🚁 Medical Evacuation

Medical evacuation insurance is essential for serious cases. Singapore and Bangkok are the regional medical hubs. Indian metros (Mumbai, Delhi) handle complex cases for the subcontinent. Actual costs depend on distance, aircraft type, and whether ICU-level care is required in transit.

Primary destination: Singapore

Secondary destination: Bangkok or Mumbai

Typical cost band: $25,000-90,000

Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS — compare current quotes and policy terms before relying on any single provider.

💉 Vaccinations

Required

  • 🔴 Polio (some travelers may need to show proof)
  • 🔴 Yellow fever (if arriving from an endemic area)

Recommended

  • 🟡 Hepatitis A
  • 🟡 Hepatitis B
  • 🟡 Typhoid
  • 🟡 Rabies
  • 🟡 Malaria prophylaxis (for certain regions)

Pakistan is one of the last countries with endemic polio — ensure your polio vaccination is current. Dengue is present in urban areas. Malaria risk in some regions.

🚰 Water & Food Safety

❌ Drink bottled water only

Do NOT drink tap water. Use bottled water only. Avoid ice in drinks. Use bottled water for brushing teeth. Nestle Pure Life and other sealed bottled water brands are widely available.

Food Safety Tips

Eat freshly cooked, hot food. Pakistani cuisine is flavorful — stick to busy restaurants. Avoid raw vegetables and salads. Street food biryani and kebabs are generally safe when freshly cooked. Lassi from busy shops is usually fine.

🧠 Mental Health Resources

🆘 Crisis Line: 0311 7786264 (Umang Mental Health Helpline)

International crisis support: findahelpline.com — worldwide directory of crisis lines

English-speaking therapists: Available in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi through private practice. Expect PKR 3,000-8,000 ($10-28) per session.

Mental health services are limited but growing. English-speaking therapists available in major cities. Online therapy platforms serve English speakers.

♿ Accessibility

Accessibility infrastructure is very limited. Most buildings, roads, and transport are not wheelchair accessible.

Hospital accessibility: Major private hospitals have basic accessibility. Public hospitals have very limited access.

Accessible transport: No accessible public transport. Private vehicles are the main option. Roads can be challenging.

💡 Accessibility tips

Pakistan is very challenging for travelers with mobility limitations. Northern mountain areas are particularly difficult. Plan all logistics with a reliable tour operator. Contact hotels in advance.

🫁 COVID & Respiratory Illness

Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.

Mask policy: No formal requirements.

Testing availability: Tests available at private hospitals and clinics.

Pakistan has lifted most COVID restrictions.

🚨 Emergency Contacts

🆘 Emergency: 1122 (Rescue, in Punjab & some provinces), 115 (Edhi ambulance nationwide)

📚 Sources & References

Data compiled from official government health sources, WHO, and traveler-reported information.

⚠️ This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before traveling and verify current entry requirements with official sources.