State Life Insurance Company has once again suspended the free treatment facility under the Sehat Card Plus program across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa due to the provincial government’s non-payment of dues.
This suspension has caused significant problems for patients in the province. The insurance company has instructed all its panel hospitals to cease offering free treatment and to stop admitting new patients.
An official mentioned that the insurance company has informed its panel hospitals that their desks will remain open, but new patients should be referred to public sector hospitals.
This marks the sixth time that the treatment under the Sehat Card has been suspended by the company. The situation has left the general public in a difficult position due to the uncertainty and frequent disruptions in healthcare services.
Each time this facility is suspended, the government is compelled to release nominal funds, but the dues are not fully settled. The government currently owes Rs35 billion to the insurance company, and State Life Insurance has urgently requested the K-P government to pay Rs10 billion to address the outstanding payments.
Read K-P resolves funding for Sehat Card Plus
On October 5, a crucial meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, presided over by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan. The meeting focused on addressing challenges faced by the Sehat Card program and implementing reforms approved by the provincial cabinet.
Key decisions were made during the meeting to ensure the sustainability of the Sehat Card Scheme and address pending payments to the State Life Insurance Company, which is the implementing partner.
These decisions aim to establish regular monthly installments for payments to the insurance company, thereby ensuring smoother financial operations and maintaining the program’s financial stability.
Caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining the Sehat Card Scheme, despite financial constraints resulting from delayed federal government payments. Providing free healthcare under the program remains a top priority, and concrete steps are being taken to achieve this goal.
The Sehat Card Scheme has proven to be a lifeline for many residents of K-P, offering access to quality healthcare services that they might not have had otherwise. The program covers a range of medical treatments, including surgeries, consultations, and medication, all at no cost to the patient. This has significantly improved the healthcare landscape in K-P, particularly for vulnerable and economically disadvantaged populations.
However, the program’s successful implementation relies on consistent and timely funding. Despite the financial challenges posed by delayed federal payments, the caretaker government remains resolute in its commitment to continue providing free healthcare facilities under the Sehat Card Scheme.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 20th, 2023.
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