Expedited insurance funds release sought

LAHORE:

Concerns emerged over the continuity of the Punjab health insurance programme after instructions were issued to stop certain services from Tuesday, raising fears that patients awaiting hospital admissions and surgeries could face difficulties.

According to sources, the instructions concern new admissions and treatment approvals for general surgery, orthopaedic, neurosurgery and other inpatient services under the Health Insurance Programme at participating private hospitals. The sources said the services would depend on the allocation of funds to continue them.

Sources at the Punjab Health Initiative Management Company (PHIMC) denied that the insurance programme had been discontinued.

A senior official said the programme remained operational and the instructions were linked to delay in the release of funds.

The official said the company was in contact with the Planning and Development Board to expedite the release of funds.

If hospitals are unable to obtain the required authorisations, some patients may have to postpone treatment or pay the expenses.

Dialysis, cancer treatment, cardiac surgeries and transplant programmes have been exempted from the instructions. The hospitals have been directed not to refuse admission to patients covered under these specialised programmes.

Punjab's budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 includes Rs29 billion for the Health Card programme. The province's overall health sector allocation stands at Rs500.62 billion.

PHIMC officials said the insurance programme continued to operate through empanelled private hospitals.

The company also clarified that the programme had been discontinued in government hospitals under a previous policy change, while treatment in those facilities remained available under their existing public healthcare arrangements.