The Punjab government has decided to discontinue the Sehat Card program in public hospitals, with all medical services under the program set to end from June 30.
According to a letter sent by the Sehat Card company to the Medical Superintendents (MS) of government hospitals, all healthcare services provided under the Sehat Card will cease after June 30. Medical facilities will now be offered under a new program introduced by the Chief Minister of Punjab.
Under the new initiative, the Punjab CM has launched separate health cards for various treatments, including Cornea Transplant Card, Cochlear Transplant Card, and Bone Marrow Transplant Card. Additionally, separate cards have been introduced for dialysis, kidney, and liver transplants. A distinct “Child Card Surgery Program” has also been initiated for the treatment of heart conditions in children. The Sehat Card has now been restructured into several specialized segments.
It is worth noting that the Sehat Card program was initially launched during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. Speaking on the development, Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the funds previously spent on health insurance will now be provided directly to public hospitals. A decision regarding the budget transfer will be made within the next 5 to 7 days. He added that the Secretary of Health Punjab is working on the new policy, and additional funds will be allocated to hospitals in the supplementary budget. Free treatment in public hospitals will continue under the new system.
