Health insurance: PM appeals for effective execution of project

Says scheme should be executed in phases to filter out deficiencies

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday directed officials to ensure effective execution of the National Health Insurance Programme.

Chairing a meeting at the Prime Minister House, Nawaz reviewed the progress before the launch of the programme aimed at providing health care to millions across the country.

During the meeting, the premier said that the programme is aimed at providing free of charge treatment to the poor who are unable to pay for medical treatment. “Poverty cannot be eliminated without curing diseases,” he added.

Nawaz said that the scheme should be executed in phases to filter out deficiencies, if any, during the implementation stage.  Terming it as a crucial health care initiative, the premier urged authorities to initiate an awareness campaign before the launch of the project.



The meeting was attended by Saira Afzal Tarar, MOS for National Health Services, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Dr Musadik Malik, SAPM and senior officials of the government.

Prime Minister’s National Health Insurance Programme is all set to be launched across the country by the end of this year. It is estimated that as many as 3.1 million families living in 23 districts below the poverty line will benefit under the scheme.

The scheme offers free of charge treatment for ailments like cardiovascular diseases, Diabetes Mellitus, Burma and RTA (life and limb saving treatment, implants, prosthesis).

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th,  2015.