Pak-China healthcare cooperation offers major opportunities

LAHORE: Healthcare has the potential to become a major pillar of Pakistan-China economic cooperation, with joint ventures, technology transfer and investment in advanced medical infrastructure offering new opportunities for both countries, said Adeel Munawar, Commercial Ambassador of the Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI), on Thursday. He said China’s rapid progress in artificial intelligence, digital healthcare, biotechnology, medical equipment and medical research could help Pakistan modernise its healthcare sector and improve access to quality medical services. He stressed the need to translate the longstanding Pakistan-China strategic partnership into practical and commercially viable projects through joint ventures, research partnerships and technology transfer. According to him, telemedicine, AI-based diagnostics, digital health platforms, smart hospitals and remote consultations could significantly expand healthcare access, particularly in underserved and remote areas. Adeel said stronger linkages among hospitals, universities, research institutions, technology companies and healthcare professionals of the two countries could accelerate knowledge transfer, capacity building and innovation. He identified medical equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, healthcare IT, biotechnology, hospital management and advanced medical technologies as promising areas for Chinese investment and Pakistan-China joint ventures. “Healthcare cooperation should move beyond traditional institutional engagement towards commercially sustainable partnerships,” he said, adding that Chinese companies could provide technology, expertise and investment, while Pakistani businesses could offer local market knowledge, distribution networks and skilled human resources. He further emphasised greater cooperation in telemedicine, artificial intelligence, precision medicine and medical research, saying such collaboration could contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 3, which focuses on good health and well-being. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026