Medical Technology Transfer and Health System Capacity Building in Pakistan: Evidence from the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor

Abstract

As part of the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has gradually broadened the scope of its collaboration from the first energy and infrastructure projects to include human development and health. This study examines medical technology transfer and health system capacity building in Pakistan within the framework of CPEC. It details the current state of Pakistan's healthcare system, including the absence of a comprehensive healthcare infrastructure and health insurance system, the lengthy and costly training cycles for medical professionals, Pakistan's relatively insufficient investment in medical education, and the uneven distribution of healthcare resources between urban and rural areas. It proposes strengthening Sino-Pakistani medical cooperation through measures such as facilitating medical technology transfer between the two countries, prioritizing capacity building in Pakistan, and leveraging China's indirect role in promoting rule of law. This approach aims to transition the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor from “hardware export” to “joint institutional development.