PESHAWAR, Aug 25 2005: NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman has said there is one doctor for almost 2000 patients in Pakistan, a ratio extremely on the low side when compared with the international standard of one doctor for 500 patients.

Addressing as chief guest at the first convocation of the Saidu Medical College on its premises in district Swat on Wednesday August 24, he said the bed-patient ratio could well be imagined.

Unfortunately, he added, the situation in the NWFP and Fata was worse than in other parts of Pakistan. The doctor-population ratio in the NWFP is one doctor for 5,146 people as compared to one doctor for 1,773 people in the rest of the country.

Likewise, while there is one hospital bed for 1,514 people in the rest of the country, the ratio in the NWFP and Fata is one bed for 1,703 persons and 1,892 persons, respectively, the governor said.
Source: Dawn
Date:8/25/2005