Burn patients suffer as treatment under health card remains suspended in K-P

Insurance company halted free treatment across province due to unpaid bills

Patients at Hayatabad Burns and Trauma Centre are facing severe hardships following the suspension of treatment under the provincial health card programme.

The disruption has left burn patients and their families struggling to afford the costly medicines, specialised dressings, and other essential medical supplies necessary for recovery.

Relatives of affected patients told The Express Tribune that the expenses for treatment at the burn centre are beyond the reach of ordinary people. “Without the health card, we are forced to purchase expensive injections, antibiotics, and dressings from the market,” one family member said.

Several families claimed that the financial burden has increased drastically, forcing some patients to discontinue treatment due to unaffordability. “Burn cases require expensive dressings and medications daily,” another relative explained. “Without government support, continuing treatment becomes impossible for most families.”

The administration of the Hayatabad Burns Centre, however, maintained that free treatment is still being provided where possible, and the hospital is striving to deliver the best care within its capacity. Officials confirmed that services under the health card programme have been temporarily suspended but are expected to resume from December 1.

Despite these assurances, families of burn victims are urging the government to expedite the restoration of the health card programme. “Hayatabad Burns Centre is the only facility in the province catering to severe burn patients from all over the province. The delay in reinstating the health card is placing an enormous financial burden on poor patients,” said a man representing the families.

The ongoing suspension of services under the Sehat Insaf Card in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is largely attributed to non-payment of dues by the provincial government to the insurance company. In October 2023, State Life Insurance Company temporarily halted free treatment under the Sehat Card Plus programme across the province due to unpaid bills.
This marked the sixth time the company suspended Sehat Card services due to outstanding government payments.

Each suspension has left patients in difficult situations, highlighting recurring disruptions in the province’s healthcare system. The provincial government owed Rs35 billion to the insurance company, which urgently requested Rs10 billion to settle part of the outstanding payments.