The Punjab caretaker government has made changes to the Sehat Sahulat Card programme and abolished the facility of free treatment for heart and gynecological patients in private hospitals of the province including the Rawalpindi district.
The decision by the Punjab cabinet means government hospitals will now face an exceptional influx of patients related to gynecological procedures.
Previously, treatment of heart diseases and gynecological procedures in private hospitals was completely free under the Sehat Sahulat Card.
However, with the recent changes, private hospitals will bear 30 per cent of the expenses for initial heart disease treatment, and the subsequent costs will be shared equally between the patient and the hospital.
The decision to alter the provision of free treatment in public and private hospitals under the health facility card was made by the Punjab Cabinet on June 21.
According to sources, this adjustment not only poses a financial burden on government hospitals but also forces a significant number of patients to seek treatment exclusively from these hospitals.
Previously, individuals had the option to receive free treatment in both private and government hospitals using the Sehat Sahulat Card. The change now restricts the scope of treatment available under the card and places added strain on government hospitals, resulting in an increase in financial and administrative responsibilities.
Benazir Bhutto General Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Tahir Rizvi expressed concern over the growing number of patients visiting for gynecological procedures.
He also underscored the ensuing financial and administrative burden on the hospital. He highlighted the shortage of nurses and said they currently have only 200 nurses while the hospital requires five to six hundred of them.
Dr Rizvi further explained that cardiac treatment was previously free for patients in private hospitals under the health card but now requires a 70 per cent patient contribution.
This change not only exacerbates the financial burden on hospitals but also strains the treatment system for heart diseases due to the influx of patients.
Pakistan Railways General Hospital CEO Dr Arbaz Waleed stated that the Sehat Sahulat Card provided benefits to both patients and hospitals, ensuring financial relief for the medical institutions.
Under the health facility card, whether it was a government or private hospital, the hospital was reimbursed through insurance claims for providing free treatment.
Shafqat Hussain, a heart disease patient, expressed his concerns about the changes, mentioning that he was currently receiving treatment at a government hospital. With the modifications to the programme, he was uncertain about the charges he will have to bear and plans to seek clarification from the hospital regarding his treatment.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2023.
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