Economic Analysis of Workplace Violence and Its Impact on Karachi, Pakistan’s Healthcare System

Background:Workplace violence against healthcare providers disrupts care delivery and imposes serious financial strain on health systems. This study quantifies the economic costs of violence, focusing on absenteeism, staff turnover, and reduced care quality in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 414 healthcare providers across pediatric and gynecology departments in Karachi. Financial costs due to absenteeism, turnover, and quality losses were estimated using average wage data, replacement costs, and revenue impact metrics. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 21. Results:The annual financial burden of workplace violence was estimated at PKR 24.9 million. Absenteeism contributed PKR 1.66 million, staff turnover PKR 7.2 million, and care quality losses PKR 11.8 million. Significant statistical associations were observed between types of violence and each financial metric. Conclusions:Workplace violence imposes a measurable and critical financial burden on healthcare systems. Targeted policies and safety interventions are essential to mitigate violence and ensure efficient, safe, and sustainable healthcare delivery in high-risk departments.