Addressing Rural-Urban Disparities in Access to Renal Transplantation in Pakistan: A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63501/qz8q3752Keywords:
Renal Transplantation, Rural-urban Disparity, Pakistan, Healthcare Access, Mobile HealthAbstract
Background: Pakistan’s healthcare system is marked by stark rural-urban disparities, with 62% of the population residing in rural areas but only 20% of transplant facilities located outside major cities like Karachi and Lahore. This inequity exacerbates the burden of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) for rural patients, who often cannot afford travel or treatment costs.
Objective: This narrative review assesses rural-urban disparities in access to renal transplantation in Pakistan and explores strategies to improve equity in transplant care.
Methods: We analyzed hospital data, patient registries, and policy reports from 2015 to 2024, focusing on transplant outcomes and access challenges in rural Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. We also reviewed mobile health initiatives and public-private partnership models.
Results: Rural patients face a 40% lower likelihood of receiving a transplant compared to urban patients, primarily due to transportation barriers and lack of local dialysis centers. Only 5% of rural ESRD patients are referred to transplant centers annually. Initiatives like SIUT’s mobile dialysis units have reached 10,000 rural patients since 2018, but transplant follow-up remains challenging due to limited local expertise.
Conclusion: Bridging rural-urban disparities requires decentralized transplant care, mobile health units, and training for rural healthcare providers. Future research should focus on cost-effective models to expand transplant services to underserved regions.
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