China-Pakistan Health Corridor

The China-Pakistan health corridor is a multidisciplinary group composed of hospitals, nursing and auxiliary medical institutions, research and training centers, IT, and pharmaceutical industries. Through mobile hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and big data, this group shares the achievements of Chinese medical development with Pakistan. This comprehensive approach reflects a commitment to addressing various aspects of healthcare, from service delivery to research and technological innovation bringing better medical service to those who live in remote areas and are unable to afford medical expenses. 
Key Initiatives include mobile hospitals, which allow for the extension of medical services to remote and underserved areas, addressing one of the critical challenges in Pakistan's healthcare system. This initiative brings healthcare closer to the people, improving accessibility and promoting preventive care. Next is technology integration which leverages cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and big data. The CPHC is at the forefront of healthcare innovation, enhancing diagnostic capabilities, streamlining data management, and facilitating efficient healthcare delivery. The other initiative is pharmaceutical collaboration, promoting the exchange of knowledge and resources, fostering the development of high-quality and affordable medications. This initiative contributes not only to the well-being of the population but also to the economic growth of both nations.
Pakistan has the seventh-largest pool of scientists and engineers but statistical data showed that population per doctor and population per bed did not improve much over than previous years. Access to healthcare services remains inadequate because of insufficient human resources and medical infrastructure. Recent pharmaceutical industrial data of Pakistan shows that both national and multinational companies have contributed to growth of pharmaceutical industries. Domestic companies fulfilled 58 per cent of the local demand and multinational manufacturers fulfilled the rest. As 2024 first quarter began, CPEC’s newly announced health corridor set the direction to revamp and modernize Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure, bioengineering, telemedicine, pharmacy, life sciences and medical market.
Out of top 25 pharmaceutical manufacturers in China, 22 are domestic companies. CPEC could play a key role in mutual cooperation between Chinese and Pakistani pharmaceutical industries. Availability of cheaper raw material to manufacturers in Pakistan can be of mutual benefit for both countries. 
More than 200,000 students from 64 countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative were studying in China last year. More than 10,000 medical students have already graduated and are working in respective fields. Currently, Pakistan has risen to top four in number of students in China. There is an intense need to construct state-of-the-art hospitals and pharmacies at the port city of Gwadar where such students along with Chinese professionals might continue their practice.
Currently, 90-95 per cent of all the big machines for pharmaceutical industries in Pakistan and raw material are imported. CPEC and Belt and Road Initiative can help in the development of this sector, as 42 per cent of the total local demand of finished medicines is met by multinational companies in Pakistan. Thus, it can be a breakthrough for both Pakistani and Chinese manufacturers to get collaborative trade benefits through mutual cooperation. Through CPEC, Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industrialists will get quick access to China, Middle East, and Europe. 
Other than hospital and pharmaceutical industries, there is a need to build medical colleges and universities, state-of-the-art research laboratories, drug stores and pharmacies along the CPEC. To polish the medical skills of the personnel, the doctors, pharmacists, and other medical staff exchange programs can be initiated. For health and knowledge corridor, experts from both China and Pakistan will be needed to bring revolutionary changes in health sector. Health corridor will bring drastic changes which in turn will improve the basic health facilities in Pakistan. Once the project successfully completed people of even rural areas will be able to get quality treatment without traveling to major cities.
THE fast-growing population and the number of disease and complexity makes it far difficult for one country to tackle the healthcare issues successfully. Post Covid-19 era has increased the significance of multidisciplinary and multinational cooperation to combat the current pandemic situation and to establish a state-of-the-art system to revolutionize the healthcare system for a healthy and prosperous future for our posterity. China-Pakistan Medical Association (CPMA) initiative was much needed, and it can play a pivotal role in the establishment of cooperation between China and Pakistan in health and education sector to combat with this issue of our modern times. The CPMA initiative was inspired by the concept of China-Pakistan Health Corridor, and it’s established to strengthen the medical cooperation between China and Pakistan. There are more than 68,000 medical students studying in China making up 13.8% of the total 492,000 of university students and Pakistani students rank No.2 with overall 28000 students studying in different fields. Currently more than 7500 Pakistani medical students are studying here and so far, more than 15,000 students have graduated from China since 2001. The majority of them have learned MBBS. According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics report 2019 there are 133707 beds in hospitals and dispensaries making it 1 bed for 1645 people and national health infrastructure is comprised of 1279 hospitals, 5527 BHUs, 747 Maternity & Child Health Centers, and 1400 TB centers. China has vast healthcare facilities with 8 million health workers, including 3 million practicing doctors, 800,000 surgeons, 6 million nurses, and 27,215 hospitals. Pakistani doctors and surgeons could learn advanced medical and surgical skills especially in the field of robotic and laparoscopic surgery.
Pakistani hospitals can be digitalized. Big Data centers can be established in top hospitals, tracking, and keeping record of patients will be easy in this way. Telemedicine joint sessions can be held frequently”. Pakistan and China medical institutions have started cooperation and a number of MoUs have been signed between the medical institutions of both the countries. More hospitals could be established along CPEC so that Pakistani medical graduates from China could do internships and work in these hospitals.
The CPHC facilitates the exchange of knowledge, technology, and resources, paving the way for a collective effort in addressing health challenges within the BRI framework. BRI countries can benefit from China's experience by sharing expertise in epidemic prevention, control measures, and healthcare infrastructure development. Collaborative efforts through the CPHC can contribute to the capacity building of healthcare professionals, equipping them with the skills needed to tackle health crises effectively. The collaboration can lead to the development of robust healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that BRI countries are better prepared to handle emergencies and provide quality healthcare to their citizens. Joint efforts in research and development can accelerate the discovery of vaccines, treatments, and diagnostic tools, fostering innovation in the field of public health.