Health, vaccinations and medical care in Pakistan

The ambulance

• Dial 1122 and ask for an ambulance. Response times vary a great deal, and in remote or mountainous areas can be over an hour because of road access and vehicle availability.
• Call your insurer as soon as you are referred anywhere.

Polio

• Pakistan is running a widespread polio vaccination programme and you may be asked to show proof of vaccination by a vaccination team, not only at the border.
• A medical exemption has to be a certificate from a recognised health authority.
• A polio certificate is a condition of entry in some circumstances, alongside yellow fever if you are arriving from a transmission risk country.

Air

• Air pollution is a health hazard from October to February, worst in Punjab and specifically in Lahore. If you have asthma or a heart condition, that is a season to plan around rather than a nuisance.

Altitude and water

• Altitude sickness is a risk in Gilgit-Baltistan and anywhere else you go high quickly.
• Take care buying bottled water, and stick to sealed bottles from proper shops.

Medicines

• There are often shortages of medicine in Pakistan, and imported medical supplies can be restricted. Bring a full supply of anything you need, in its original packaging, plus the prescription.