The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has made significant strides in expanding the Sehat Card Scheme by adding more hospitals, both public and private, to its panel. This expansion aims to provide free medical services to more families across the region, improving healthcare access for those in need.
Expansion of Sehat Card Scheme: More Hospitals Added
The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, recently chaired a meeting on November 11, 2024, where the decision to include additional hospitals under the Sehat Card Scheme was finalized. This inclusion aims to expand access to healthcare for KP residents, providing free inpatient services and medications.
The Sehat Insaf initiative, which offers in-patient department (IPD) services across KP, is an effort by the government to support its citizens in need. Around 7.2 million families currently benefit from the program, which incurs an annual expenditure of approximately RS 18 billion.
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KP Government’s Vision for Healthcare Access
KP’s health department, under the leadership of CM Gandapur, is keen to extend the reach of healthcare services, especially to underserved areas. The goal is to ensure that every eligible family in the province can benefit from high-quality medical care through the Sehat Card Scheme.
Only hospitals that meet the quality standards set by the Sehat Insaf initiative will be considered for inclusion, ensuring that all beneficiaries receive the best care possible.
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Key Figures Involved in the Expansion
Several key figures attended the policy board meeting to discuss the expansion of the Sehat Card Scheme:
- Ehtisham Ali – Chief Minister’s health advisor
- Ikramullah Khan – Chief Secretary
- Syed Adeel Shah – Health Secretary
- Other officials from Sehat Card Plus and the KP Health Foundation
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Inclusion of Remote Areas in the Scheme
A major focus of the meeting was to enhance healthcare access in rural areas. The government is prioritizing the outsourcing of hospitals and clinics in these locations, ensuring that underserved populations receive the care they need.
The expansion includes:
- Increased coverage for remote areas
- Outsourcing of healthcare facilities to improve service delivery
- Providing affordable and accessible healthcare to the underprivileged
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Settling Financial Dues to Hospitals
One of the significant hurdles in expanding the scheme was the unpaid financial dues owed to public hospitals. During the meeting, Chief Minister Gandapur instructed the finance department to resolve these outstanding payments swiftly to avoid any delays in healthcare services.
The government is committed to ensuring that all hospitals offering services under the Sehat Card Scheme receive timely payments to maintain seamless operations.
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PPP Model to Outsource More Hospitals
To further enhance the availability of healthcare services, Chief Minister Gandapur directed the Health Foundation officials to explore the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for outsourcing additional hospitals. The proposal for outsourcing more hospitals under this model is expected to be finalized by December 2024.
The PPP model will allow both public and private hospitals to collaborate in providing high-quality medical services. Hospitals that meet the Sehat Card Program’s standards will be included in this outsourcing initiative.
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Benefits of Hospital Outsourcing Through PPP
The PPP model offers several benefits, including:
- Increased efficiency: Outsourcing enables quicker and more efficient service delivery.
- Expanded access: More hospitals can be added, especially in rural and remote areas.
- Improved quality: Partnering with private institutions can enhance the quality of services.
- Cost-effective: Sharing the responsibility between public and private sectors can reduce the financial burden on the government.
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Streamlining Outsourcing Operations
To expedite the outsourcing process, Chief Minister Gandapur emphasized the need to revise current legal frameworks and establish a steering committee. The committee, which will be led by the Chief Minister, will work towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the outsourcing process.
By streamlining these operations, the government aims to ensure that more hospitals can quickly join the Sehat Card Scheme, providing uninterrupted healthcare services to those in need.
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Collaboration with Roche Pharmaceutical for Free Medicines
In a move to enhance healthcare for children suffering from haemophilia, the KP government has partnered with Roche Pharmaceuticals. Under this collaboration, free medications will be provided to affected children.
The cost of these medications will be shared between Roche Pharmaceuticals and the KP government, ensuring that children with haemophilia receive the necessary treatment without any financial burden on their families.
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Rs 4 Billion Allocated for Sehat Card Scheme
On November 16, 2024, the KP government allocated an additional Rs 4 billion to the Sehat Insaf Card Program. This extension in funding will:
- Allow for the inclusion of more hospitals under the scheme.
- Enhance the quality of healthcare services provided to the public.
- Improve the availability of resources and medical treatments for beneficiaries.
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Conclusion
The KP government’s expansion of the Sehat Card Scheme is a major step towards improving healthcare access for the province’s residents. With the inclusion of more hospitals, particularly in remote areas, and the partnership with private institutions through the PPP model, healthcare services are set to reach a wider population. The addition of free medicines for children with haemophilia further strengthens the initiative.
The Rs 4 billion funding increase will ensure that the Sehat Card Scheme continues to offer high-quality medical services to families across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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