Public Policy of ALS: A Pakistani Perspective

Pakistan is forecast to have an increase in the incidence of ALS, but healthcare resources are not increasing correspondingly. As a result, access to specialist care is often difficult because of physical distance, long waiting hours, limited resources and high out-of-pocket payments. Neurorehabilitation is inaccessible to most people, but the situation is improving. There is a dearth of specialist palliative care services, with no government-funded hospices or nursing homes. Caregiver support is available from domestic help and housemaids. Medical assistive devices are expensive and not commonly available. Advance directives and euthanasia do not have a legal basis in Pakistan. Despite difficulties in the infrastructure and socioeconomic and cultural obstacles, things are improving in terms of the research output and healthcare facilities for patients with ALS in Pakistan.