PESHAWAR(The COW News Digital) The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is considering expanding the Sehat Card Plus programme to selected Basic Health Units, Rural Health Centres and Category-D hospitals operating round the clock.
The proposal was discussed at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, where officials reviewed a range of reforms aimed at making the health programme more effective, sustainable and accessible to the public.
The meeting considered expanding the scope of Sehat Card Plus, improving coverage for expensive medical treatments, gradually revising service rates and introducing stronger measures to prevent misuse of the health card.
Primary Healthcare Facilities
Under the proposal, eligible Basic Health Units, Rural Health Centres and Category-D hospitals that remain operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week could be brought into the Sehat Card Plus network.
Officials said the move would enable people to access treatment closer to their homes while helping reduce the burden on major hospitals.
The meeting also reviewed proposals to increase financial coverage for costly treatments and gradually revise service rates for various healthcare services.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi directed officials to take practical steps to improve the programme and ensure that Sehat Card Plus continues to provide meaningful healthcare support to citizens.
Measures to Prevent Misuse
The chief minister stressed the importance of preventing misuse of the health card facility. He directed hospitals affiliated with the programme to comply with the prescribed code of conduct and ensure transparent and appropriate use of programme resources.
Participants also agreed on the need to strengthen the capacity of the Social Health Protection Unit to improve monitoring and implementation.
Top-Up Package for Government Employees
The meeting also considered introducing an optional top-up health package for government employees under the Sehat Card framework.
The proposed facility would provide beneficiaries with additional healthcare coverage and access to medical services beyond the existing package, subject to the final terms of the programme.
Healthcare at Citizens’ Doorsteps
Afridi said the revamping of Basic Health Units and District Headquarters hospitals was aimed at providing quality healthcare facilities closer to people’s homes.
He said the provincial government was allocating significant resources to the health sector and would continue taking measures to improve the standard and accessibility of healthcare services.
The chief minister further said health and education were among the government’s foremost priorities and instructed relevant departments to resolve matters in these sectors without unnecessary delays.
Further Meeting Next Week
Afridi directed officials to prepare a detailed action plan through consultation on the proposed reforms and present it at the next meeting.
He said another meeting on Sehat Card Plus would be held next week, where the proposals would be reviewed and an actionable strategy finalized.
The chief minister said the government would move forward with a practical and results-oriented approach, with improved healthcare services for the public remaining its ultimate objective.
