‘Govt to ensure health card targets the needy’
PHOTO: File
Punjab Caretaker Health Minister Dr Javed Akram has affirmed the government's commitment to allocate Sehat Sahulat cards exclusively to the economically disadvantaged sections of society in the province.
Addressing the 33rd meeting of the steering committee on the Health Facilitation Programme at the Punjab Health Initiative Management Company, Dr Akram highlighted the potential for further enhancements in the health facility programme.
Dr Akram acknowledged the challenges faced by the caretaker setup upon its installation, citing a substantial debt of Rs200 billion owed to the insurance company for health cards.
The minister clarified that the caretaker government's objective was solely the welfare of the people, distancing themselves from political considerations.
Read K-P govt trims budget for Sehat Card Plus
He revealed ongoing efforts to create a database of genuine beneficiaries in Punjab, emphasizing the need for accurate targeting. Before the caretaker government, Rs260 million per day were spent on the health facility card, an unsustainable burden on Punjab's residents. Dr. Akram proudly stated that revolutionary measures had reduced expenses by 50%, demonstrating a commitment to fiscal responsibility.
Dr Akram highlighted a substantial investment of Rs 70 billion to enhance government hospitals in Punjab. He brought attention to certain malpractices, such as an excessive number of cesarean operations and unnecessary stent insertions, emphasizing the need for ethical healthcare practices.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2023.