Purpose of Review <p>This review synthesizes current evidence on the challenges, availability of services, workforce development, and delivery models for geriatric rehabilitation in Pakistan. The aim is to identify key gaps in policy and practice and to propose actionable recommendations relevant to Pakistan and comparable low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).</p> Recent Findings <p>Pakistan’s population aged 60 years and above is projected to increase from approximately 11.3% to 43.3% by 2050, placing substantial strain on an already resource-constrained healthcare system. Existing geriatric rehabilitation services are limited, fragmented, and predominantly confined to urban tertiary care centers. Major challenges include shortages of trained rehabilitation professionals, lack of formal geriatric rehabilitation training programs, absence of locally adapted clinical guidelines, high out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and declining traditional family support systems. Emerging approaches such as community-based rehabilitation, task-shifting, and mobile health (mHealth) and telerehabilitation interventions demonstrate potential to improve access and continuity of care, although their implementation remains limited.</p> Summary <p>Pakistan’s healthcare system requires urgent and strategic reform to meet the growing rehabilitation needs of its aging population. Investments in workforce training, rehabilitation infrastructure, and integrated care models are essential to prevent disability, promote functional independence, and reduce caregiver burden. Scalable solutions, including community-based rehabilitation and digital health interventions, supported by national policies and contextually relevant guidelines, are critical for achieving equitable and sustainable geriatric rehabilitation in Pakistan and other LMICs.</p>

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Geriatric Rehabilitation in Pakistan: Addressing the Challenges of an Aging Population

  • Farooq Azam Rathore,
  • Shaikh Nabi Bukhsh Nazir

摘要

Purpose of Review

This review synthesizes current evidence on the challenges, availability of services, workforce development, and delivery models for geriatric rehabilitation in Pakistan. The aim is to identify key gaps in policy and practice and to propose actionable recommendations relevant to Pakistan and comparable low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Recent Findings

Pakistan’s population aged 60 years and above is projected to increase from approximately 11.3% to 43.3% by 2050, placing substantial strain on an already resource-constrained healthcare system. Existing geriatric rehabilitation services are limited, fragmented, and predominantly confined to urban tertiary care centers. Major challenges include shortages of trained rehabilitation professionals, lack of formal geriatric rehabilitation training programs, absence of locally adapted clinical guidelines, high out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and declining traditional family support systems. Emerging approaches such as community-based rehabilitation, task-shifting, and mobile health (mHealth) and telerehabilitation interventions demonstrate potential to improve access and continuity of care, although their implementation remains limited.

Summary

Pakistan’s healthcare system requires urgent and strategic reform to meet the growing rehabilitation needs of its aging population. Investments in workforce training, rehabilitation infrastructure, and integrated care models are essential to prevent disability, promote functional independence, and reduce caregiver burden. Scalable solutions, including community-based rehabilitation and digital health interventions, supported by national policies and contextually relevant guidelines, are critical for achieving equitable and sustainable geriatric rehabilitation in Pakistan and other LMICs.