Sehat Sahulat Cards: Government gives another blow to the public
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In the midst of a growing public outcry and mounting concerns voiced by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, regarding perceived alterations to the previous Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government's flagship health insurance initiative, Sehat Card Plus, Health Secretary Mahmood Aslam Wazir has sought to clarify the government's unwavering commitment to delivering healthcare services to all residents of the province without any form of discrimination.
Preceding this clarification, Health Advisor Dr. Riaz Anwar had made an announcement that the program had been linked to both the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and the NADRA database. Additionally, it was revealed that free medical treatment would only be extended to individuals with a monthly income of Rs37,000 or less.
This revelation triggered widespread criticism, particularly against the backdrop of escalating inflation, surging petroleum prices, and rising electricity bills, all of which were already placing a heavy financial burden on the middle and lower-income strata of society.
The caretaker provincial government had been grappling with the escalating costs associated with the Sehat Card program. This financial strain had reached a point where the insurance company had halted medical treatments on five separate occasions in recent months due to unpaid dues.
Secretary Mahmood Aslam Wazir underscored that these recent efforts were part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at improving healthcare accessibility and transparency within the region. Under the Sehat Card Plus initiative, healthcare services remain open to all, ensuring that no individual is excluded on the basis of their economic status. The program was designed with the goal of providing high-quality healthcare services to every resident of K-P.
Secretary Wazir further elaborated on the key highlights of the Sehat Card Plus program, with a strong emphasis on transparency and sustainability. This reiteration of the government's dedication to equitable healthcare access serves as a testament to their commitment to prioritizing the well-being of all individuals residing within Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
