Pakistan Healthcare System Guide
How the healthcare system works in Pakistan — emergency numbers, GP access, vaccines, insurance and medical costs for visitors and expats.
Healthcare system overview
Pakistan has a large but uneven healthcare system. Major cities have excellent private hospitals (Aga Khan, Shaukat Khanum). Rural and northern areas have very limited facilities. Northern mountain areas (Gilgit-Baltistan, Hunza) rely on helicopter evacuation.
System type: Public + large private sector; major hospitals in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad
Emergency numbers & response
Dial: 115 (Rescue 1122) or 1122
Typical response time: 10-20 minutes in Punjab cities (Rescue 1122); variable elsewhere
Costs: $20-300+ at private hospitals
Rescue 1122 (Punjab) is efficient. Aga Khan University Hospital (Karachi) and Shaukat Khanum (Lahore) are world-class.
Seeing a doctor as a visitor
Walk-in at private hospitals and clinics; very affordable
Typical wait: Same-day at private facilities
Typical cost: $10-30 private GP visit
Good in major cities; very limited in northern areas and rural regions
Vaccines for travel
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Polio, Tetanus, Japanese Encephalitis
Polio vaccination proof may be required. Malaria risk in some areas. Dengue present in cities. Rabies common.
Insurance & visa health requirements
Insurance required for visa: no
Public coverage for visitors: no
e-Visa available for many nationalities. Pakistan has simplified tourism visas significantly in recent years.
Documents to prepare:
- Passport (6+ months validity)
- e-Visa
- Travel insurance with evacuation
- Polio vaccination certificate
Typical medical costs
Private GP visit: $10-30
Emergency care without insurance: $50-500+
Medication: Medications extremely affordable. Pharmacies everywhere. Quality generally good from established brands.
Pharmacies & medication
Hours: Generally 9am-10pm; some 24h
Over the counter: Very wide range — most medications available without prescription
Controlled substances: Strict drug laws. Carry prescriptions for all medications.
Things that catch visitors out in Pakistan
- Top private hospitals (Aga Khan, Shaukat Khanum) are genuinely world-class
- Healthcare costs are among the lowest in the world
- Northern mountain areas (K2, Karakoram Highway) have essentially no medical facilities
- Rescue 1122 in Punjab is one of the most efficient emergency services in South Asia
Practical tips for travellers
- Aga Khan University Hospital (Karachi) and Shaukat Khanum (Lahore) for best care
- Helicopter evacuation insurance essential for northern area trekking
- Carry Polio vaccination certificate — may be checked at borders
- Bring complete first-aid kit for northern areas — no pharmacies on trekking routes
- Drink only bottled/filtered water everywhere
Have a travel question about Pakistan?
Ask Alex, our AI travel companion, gives members country-specific travel answers about local hospitals, English-speaking doctors, pharmacy rules and more — for Pakistan and 170+ other countries. It does not provide personal medical advice.