ENHANCING HEALTHCARE EFFICIENCY AND REDUCING HOSPITAL WAITING TIMES VIA PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

Abstract

This policy paper advocates for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to address Lahore’s healthcare challenges, including severe overcrowding in public hospitals and underutilization of trust-based healthcare facilities. With public hospital occupancy exceeding 120% and trust hospitals below 75%, the paper proposes an integrated model to redistribute patient loads, improve service efficiency, and ensure equitable healthcare access. Drawing on successful PPP experiences from Kenya, Lesotho, and Sri Lanka, the plan includes three phases: stakeholder engagement, pilot testing, and scaling, supported by digital integration and real-time monitoring. Key stakeholder concerns involve operational feasibility, financial incentives, public-private coordination, quality assurance, and regulatory support. The model aims to optimize infrastructure use, reduce wait times, and promote inclusive, sustainable healthcare for marginalized populations, serving as a potential blueprint for other densely populated cities in the Global South.