Geriatric Health in Pakistan: A Crisis We Are Not Ready For

Abstract

Pakistan is slowly entering an age of population ageing, yet this reality has not received the attention it urgently deserves. For decades, the country has been viewed as young, with policies and health services designed mainly for mothers, children, and infectious diseases. That picture is changing. Millions of Pakistanis are now living longer, and the number of people aged sixty and above is rising quickly.¹ This shift should be seen as a sign of progress, but without proper planning it risks turning into a serious public health and social crisis.²

Older people in Pakistan face a heavy burden of disease. Many live with more than one chronic illness, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, joint pain, breathing problems, and vision or hearing loss. Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and dementia are also common but often ignored. These conditions do not appear suddenly; they require longterm care, regular follow-up, and emotional support.³ Unfortunately, health system of Pakistan is not built to manage such needs. Hospitals are crowded, primary health care is weak, and there are very few doctors trained specifically in caring for older adults. As a result, many elderly patients are treated late, poorly, or not treated at all.⁴