BIG DATA NATION !

BIG DATA NEED IN BIG DATA NATION !

Pakistan is one of the largest and most populous countries in the world with a population of over 220 million people. However, the country still lacks sufficient and accurate data in various sectors, especially in healthcare. The inadequacy of data in Pakistan has led to numerous challenges, including inadequate planning, and limited decision-making capabilities.

Pakistan also lacks a comprehensive healthcare data infrastructure, which makes it difficult to collect, store, and analyze healthcare data. Without a proper data infrastructure, it is challenging to utilize big data to improve healthcare outcomes.

Big data in healthcare refers to the collection, analysis, and utilization of large amounts of data to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.

The lack of a comprehensive data infrastructure in healthcare in Pakistan has several consequences that negatively impact healthcare delivery and outcomes, including:

Limited Access to Patient Information: Without a robust data infrastructure, healthcare providers may have limited access to patient information, which can result in delayed or inaccurate diagnoses, ineffective treatment plans, and poor health outcomes.

Limited Research Capabilities: The lack of a comprehensive data infrastructure can make it difficult for researchers to collect and analyze data, limiting their ability to develop new treatments, improve existing ones, offering new healthcare services (Specially for private sector) and make evidence-based healthcare decisions.

Difficulty in Tracking Disease Outbreaks: Without a comprehensive data infrastructure, it can be challenging to track disease outbreaks and monitor disease trends. This can result in delayed or inadequate responses to disease outbreaks, which can contribute to their spread.

Inability to Implement Evidence-Based Practices: Evidence-based healthcare practices rely on comprehensive data analysis to guide decision-making. Without a comprehensive data infrastructure, healthcare providers may struggle to implement evidence-based practices, resulting in suboptimal healthcare.

As Pakistan's health information system is limited, and data on critical and General health indicators are inadequate. For instance, there is limited data on maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, and health disparities. Inadequate Disease Surveillance: Disease surveillance systems in Pakistan are inadequate, and there is limited data on disease burden and trends. This makes it difficult to plan and allocate resources for disease control and prevention.

This Data inadequacy is the biggest roadblock in the way of foreign investments in healthcare industry and also almost across all sectors in Pakistan.

The only way to Improve the Situation is the Private Collaborations and Public Private Partnerships!

How these collaboration and partnerships can improve the Situations

Collaboration and partnerships between government agencies, private sector, and civil society organizations can improve data collection, sharing, and utilization. This will require the development of effective partnerships and collaborations to facilitate data sharing and utilization with this the country can improve the effectiveness of interventions and achieve better health outcomes for its citizens.

Building a comprehensive healthcare data infrastructure in Pakistan requires government investment, the private sector can contribute to solving healthcare data issues by developing EHR systems, offering telemedicine services, investing in data analytics, and partnering with government agencies. Private sector involvement in healthcare data infrastructure can improve healthcare delivery, outcomes, and access in Pakistan.

Few Urgent and Important Steps for Private Sector must take to develop Healthcare Data Infrastructure and Big Data Resource for Healthcare Industry to grab the opportunity.

1.???????????Develop Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems

2.???????????Collaborate with Other Healthcare Providers

3.???????????Embrace Telemedicine

4.???????????Develop Mobile Health (mHealth) Applications

5.???????????Use Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

6.???????????Invest in Data Science Talent and Healthcare Data Companies and Startups.

7.???????????Collaborate with Government Agencies.