Sehat Sahulat Card Program
In a major development, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has announced the resumption of the Sehat Sahulat Card Program, also known as the Sehat Insaf Card, starting from the first day of Ramadan in 2024. This micro health insurance program aims to provide free quality healthcare to all residents of KPK, marking a significant step towards universal health coverage in the province.
Key Highlights of the Sehat Sahulat Program 2024
The Sehat Sahulat Card Program 2024 brings several key benefits to the people of KPK:
- Free Medical Treatment: Starting from the first day of Ramadan, all residents of KPK will be eligible for free medical treatment under the program. This includes hospitalization, surgeries, maternity services, and emergency care at both public and private hospitals empaneled under the scheme.
- Financial Assistance: Deserving individuals identified through the Ehsaas Program will receive Rs. 10,000 in financial aid during Ramadan. An additional 150,000 people across all provincial constituencies will also get an extra Rs. 10,000.
- Support for the Needy: The government is establishing Langar Khanas to provide meals to the needy. Sehri and Iftari will also be arranged at hospitals for patient attendants during Ramadan.
- Youth Empowerment: The program includes provisions for skills training for youth to boost job creation. Grants and interest-free loans will be provided to support new businesses.
Objectives of the Sehat Sahulat Program 2024
The Sehat Sahulat Program aims to achieve the following key objectives:
- Provide free access to quality healthcare services
- Reduce the financial burden of medical expenses on underprivileged households
- Increase access to healthcare to prevent illness
- Raise health awareness among marginalized communities
Eligibility Criteria for Sehat Sahulat Card 2024
To be eligible for the Sehat Sahulat Card, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a permanent citizen of Pakistan
- Registered with NADRA and have a valid CNIC
- Household income should be below the poverty line
- Disabled persons, transgenders, and those living below the poverty line are the key beneficiaries of the program. All residents of KPK are now eligible for coverage under the universal Sehat Sahulat Program.
Enrollment Process for Sehat Sahulat Card 2024
Here are the steps to enroll for the Sehat Sahulat Card and avail of free healthcare services:
Check Eligibility
- SMS your 13-digit CNIC number to 8500
- Visit the official Sehat Sahulat Program website and enter your CNIC to verify eligibility
Get Sehat Card
- If eligible, obtain the Sehat Insaf Card from the card distribution center in your district
- Your CNIC also serves as the Sehat Card
Read More: Sehat Card Plus Tehreek-i-insaf’s ‘trump card’ Pakistan
Avail Treatment
- Visit the Sehat Sahulat Program counter at any empaneled hospital
- Present your CNIC/Sehat Card and get referred to the relevant department
- Get free treatment if admitted to the hospital
- Newly married couples and newborns can get added to the program by updating their NADRA records. This data gets synced with the Sehat Sahulat Program every January and July.
Diseases and Treatments Covered under Sehat Sahulat Card 2024
The Sehat Sahulat Card provides coverage for a wide range of medical conditions and treatments, including:
- All types of cancers
- Accidents & emergencies
- Cardiovascular surgeries
- Diabetes complications
- Kidney diseases & dialysis
- Chronic infections like Hepatitis/HIV
- Organ failure (liver, kidney, heart, lungs)
- Neurosurgical procedures
- Maternity services & deliveries
- Post-hospitalization expenses
Each enrolled family gets coverage of Rs. 400,000 for priority care and Rs. 200,000 for secondary care per year. The limits can be extended up to Rs. 1,000,000 for life-threatening cases.
However, the program does not cover outpatient services and only provides free treatment in case of admission to empaneled hospitals. Medicines and diagnostic tests are covered only for admitted patients.
Empaneled Hospitals
Patients can avail of free treatment at any hospital empaneled under the Sehat Sahulat Program across Pakistan. Both public and private hospitals are included in the panel.
As of March 2024, over 1200 hospitals across the country are empaneled under the program. This includes major public hospitals like Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology as well as renowned private hospitals like Riphah International Hospital in Islamabad.
Patients can find the complete list of empaneled hospitals on the official Sehat Sahulat Program website or mobile app. The program’s helpline 0800-89898 also provides information on the nearest empaneled hospital.
Current Status and Impact
Since its launch in 2015, the Sehat Sahulat Program has made significant strides in expanding health coverage in Pakistan. As of March 2024:
- 43 million families enrolled, covering 190 million people
- 14.6 million individuals have availed of free indoor treatment
- 20 million medical treatments provided to beneficiaries
- Billions of rupees of healthcare expenses saved for the poor
The program has been instrumental in increasing access to healthcare, especially for marginalized communities. It has helped reduce the financial burden of medical expenses on poor households.
Studies show that the Sehat Sahulat Program has led to increased utilization of healthcare services, improved health outcomes, and higher patient satisfaction. It has also promoted public-private partnerships in the health sector.
Challenges and Way Forward
Despite its success, the Sehat Sahulat Program faces some challenges in terms of financial sustainability and quality of care:
- Lack of consensus among provinces on the program’s future
- Exclusion of people lacking CNIC/B-Form, especially children
- The monopoly of a single insurance provider leads to issues like denial of services
- Duplication of health spending by federal and provincial governments
- Provision of coverage to segments who can afford healthcare
Experts suggest moving from a fully subsidized to a co-payment model, with the government paying premiums only for the poor. Promoting competition among insurance providers and integrating the program with existing public health infrastructure can help improve efficiency.
There is also a need to expand the hospital panel, especially in underserved areas, and ensure strict monitoring of quality of care. Syncing the program with NADRA’s database in real-time can help avoid the exclusion of beneficiaries.
Conclusion
The resumption of the Sehat Sahulat Card Program in KPK is a welcome step towards achieving universal health coverage in Pakistan. By providing free quality treatment to all residents, the program aims to ensure that no one is left behind in accessing essential healthcare.
While challenges remain, the Sehat Sahulat Program has demonstrated the potential of micro health insurance schemes in extending social health protection to the masses. With proper design and implementation, such programs can help Pakistan progress towards its goal of healthcare for all.
As the program enters its next phase in 2024, it is crucial to learn from past experiences and make evidence-based reforms to ensure its long-term sustainability and effectiveness. This requires close coordination between federal and provincial governments, as well as engagement of all stakeholders including insurers, healthcare providers, and citizens.
By putting people’s health first, the Sehat Sahulat Program can not only save lives but also contribute to Pakistan’s socio-economic development and progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The journey towards universal health coverage is long but the Sehat Sahulat Card is a leap in the right direction.