Sehat Hifazat: G-B’s residents get new health insurance scheme

CM Hafeezur Rehman says cards would initially be given to people in four districts

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan on Sunday formally launched a health insurance programme which is supported by the German government.

The launch ceremony for the “Sehat Hifazat Health Insurance Scheme” was held in City Park.

“The programme has initially been started in four districts,” said G-B Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman while launching the scheme.

He explained that around 40,000 people living in the region would be given health insurance cards under the Rs190 million project.

“It will be expanded to other districts in the next phase.”

Rehman said that the Prime Minister’s health insurance project had already been launched in four other districts of G-B – Skardu, Kharmang, Shigar and Diamer. Under this programme, Rs300,000 had been given to deserving people.



“We will ensure health facilities for the poor in the region over the next three years,” Rehman said.

He said the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government was determined to help people living in remote areas and those who fall in the category of ‘underprivileged’ classes.

G-B government spokesman Faizullah Faraq said the health programme had been launched with support from the German government in just eight months.

He said the beneficiaries in the first phase will be from Ghizer, Hunza, Gilgit and Astore, adding that they would be given Rs30,000.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2016.