According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department, the Sehat Card medical amenities are once again available as of today (Tuesday), following a nearly year-long break brought on by budgetary limitations.
The lack of funding resulted in the facility’s suspension in May of last year. The institution was suspended more than six times while the caretaker administration was in power, the health department continued. Earlier this month, a new elected government took office.
Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister, was endorsed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a party that first launched the Sehat Card in 2016 in order to strengthen its support base.
Syed Qasim Ali Shah, the KP Health Minister, stated that the hospital has reopened and that Rs. 10 million has been used for 700 patients thus far.
Speaking at a Peshawar press conference, he stated that the party leadership wishes to “assist those that are unable to bear expenses of medical treatment” which is why facilities have been reopened under the Sehat Card.
Shah expressed regret for the previous suspension of Sehat Card services, but added that the program currently treats 1,800 different conditions.
In order to address overbilling, he stated, government hospitals will undertake specific types of surgeries. He also mentioned that the number of institutions on the Sehat Card panel had decreased from 180 to 118.
The minister went on to say that even though the government owed them Rs. 18 billion, the Sehat Card had been reinstated. He promised that the government will find a way to keep the Sehat Card program going for the benefit of the populace.
According to The News, patients, most of whom could not afford their care, were eagerly awaiting the return of the program, especially those who were advised to undergo many procedures.
The insurance firm demanded payment of Rs. 17 billion from the government. Following the government’s failure to pay its premium, the firm decided to halt operations.
When the government was unable to pay its debts in full, the firm ceased making hospital arrears payments. The government has promised to provide the insurance business Rs. 5 billion per month.
One of the main causes of the PTI’s victory in the general election held in KP on February 8 is said to be Sehat Card Plus.
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