Public healthcare

For decades, the healthcare sector has been in a state of disarray depriving patients of critical medical support and assistance. Every now and then, federal and provincial governments allocate funds to facilitate public hospitals, but there is little improvement due to mismanagement, corruption within departments, and disruptions due to regime changes. In a similar endeavour, the Punjab caretaker government has announced plans to boost funding for Social Security Hospitals. Medical procedure charges will adhere to rates established by the Universal Health Insurance (Health Card) system. Expenses related to C-Sections for childbirth will be wholly covered by the provincial government.

Soaring inflation has compelled most people to avoid seeking professional healthcare until they absolutely need it. While the Punjab government’s initiative will offer respite to the residents of the province, citizens of other provinces will remain in a fix. Other provincial governments must take note of this initiative and implement similar plans to bolster healthcare services for the public. This is particularly important amid rising disease outbreaks and the risk of impending pandemics. Successive governments have paid little attention to any form of relief for the public. But political parties need to take stock of the situation and include plans to reform healthcare across the country in their agendas.

Public welfare initiatives such as the health card system in Punjab should be continued irrespective of changes in the government to ensure long-term success. This health card will allow people from marginalised and impoverished segments of society to access medical care and enhance their health and life expectancy. It is a step closer to providing universal access to reasonable safety nets in health and should serve as a reminder to the federal and provincial governments to provide people with this basic facility.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2023.

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