LRH medics demand commission on free treatment

Official says hospital administration holding talks with doctors to resolve issue

PESHAWAR: Under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government’s ‘Sehat Sahulat’ programme, medical cards are issued to the poor to enable them get free treatment not only at state-run hospitals but also at private health facilities across the province.

However, some doctors at the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) have been demanding from the hospital administration a share against this free treatment, official sources revealed.



Launching the programme for five years with the financial support of Germany’s KfW Bank, the K-P government pays premium for each card-holder to the State Life Insurance. Against this premium, the insurance company pays the hospitals for treatment of patients.

However, some doctors are now demanding a share even in this insurance policy. “Even if you pay them [doctors] Rs10milllion per month, they will demand more but will never perform duties as required,” a senior official lamented. “As far as I know, negotiations are being held to resolve this issue,” he added.

When contacted, LRH’s Director Dr Khalid Masood confirmed the developments, saying that the management was putting in all its efforts to resolve the issue. “I am sure we will soon sort out this problem.”

He said none of the 130 patients who have been offered treatment under the programme was refused treatment. “A desk has been established to further facilitate patients seeking medical assistance under this programme,” he said.

Over 250 people have sought free medical assistance at tertiary care hospitals in the provincial capital. However, interestingly private health facilities appear to the first choice of patients seeking medical assistance under the programme.

Muzammil, who brought his father for a CT-guided biopsy at Rehman Medical Institute (RMI), said the facility was available only at the RMI at a cost of around Rs10,000 adding that he could not even think of seeking medical assistance at a private facility.



“I was told in Dabgari [a hub for medical practitioners] to check availability of the facility at the RMI,” he added. “I was told about the expanses and I was hesitant but when I showed them [RMI officials] the card, they are now doing this for free.”

He could not even think of treating his ailing father Bakht Jamal at RMI but the card made it possible for him. “This card means no one should worry about treatment even at the RMI anymore,” he said.

RMI officials said people from all parts of the province seek medical assistance with a majority complaining about heart diseases. “We have facilitated over 300 people with over 80% seeking cure for heart diseases,” said an official.

“Besides neurology, orthopedic and general surgeries, the card offers services for open heart surgeries, angioplasty, angiography and even pediatric cardiac surgeries,” he added.