Is Pakistan Well-Positioned in the Global Health Security Scenario? An Exploratory Qualitative Study with Policy Experts and Public Health Professionals

Background: Pakistan's health system is expected to take a proactive position in the global health security arena amidst its own indigenous structural and systemic challenges. Henceforth, understanding the intricacies of this system is vital for creating effective strategies to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies, ensuring regional stability and overall global health security. Objectives: This study has ventured to understand the perspectives, hurdles, threats, and both international and national implications of Pakistan's current health system capacity and the requisites for meeting global health security commitments. Methods: This descriptive qualitative study, based on phenomenology theory, involved key informant interviews with 16 senior policy-level experts and public health professionals from the public and private sectors, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), development partners, and United Nations (UN) bodies. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes related to Pakistan's health system and its role in global health security. Findings: The study uncovered significant insights into the strengths and weaknesses of Pakistan's health system, the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and challenges such as funding constraints and fragmented healthcare delivery. It also highlighted threats like antimicrobial resistance and emphasized the importance of international collaboration. Areas needing special attention include multi-drug resistance, food safety in emergencies, surge capacity of the frontline workforce, patient safety to reduce healthcare-associated infections, and strengthening points of entry. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted both the vulnerabilities and the potential within Pakistan's health system. To enhance its contribution to global health security, Pakistan needs a national policy stance, targeted health system reforms, improved resource allocation, workforce development, and strengthened partnerships with development agencies.