The PTI government’s revolutionary Sehat Card has gained massive popularity in the Punjab province in a short amount of time. To clarify, PM Khan launched the distribution of Naya Pakistan Sehat Card for entire Punjab on 31st December 2021.
According to details, for the month of February, over 118000 people used the Sehat Card. This takes the total number of Sehat Card beneficiaries in Punjab to 852,397. Interestingly, this is almost a 90% increase from January when the number was 62, 837.
Furthermore, last month, Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar revealed that there was a 98. 5% satisfaction rate out of the 763000 Sehat Card beneficiaries in Punjab. This is indeed an achievement as it is the first time in Pakistan’s history such health coverage is being provided.
Good figures coming from Punjab!
Over 118,000 people used Sehat Card in February taking the total number of users in Punjab to 852,397. Revolutionary initiative by PTI Govt! pic.twitter.com/FpA3vEwEmj— PTI Politics. (@PTIPoliticsss) March 9, 2022
So far ~763,000 people have used Sehat Card in Punjab, with 98.5% satisfaction rate. Alhamdulillah!!
Our Health Minister @Dr_YasminRashid shared statistics of Top 10 treatments with media today: pic.twitter.com/igYLdcI7rI
— Usman Buzdar (@UsmanAKBuzdar) February 20, 2022
The Sehat Card is a game-changer. The universal health coverage program would enable each family to avail of medical treatment up to Rs 1 million a year. It encompasses treatment of cancer, kidney transplantation, chronic diseases, thalassemia, complications of diabetes, heart disease, nervous system surgery, organ failure and treatment in case of accidents.
Initially, PTI launched the Sehat Card in KPK. However, as a result of its success and a need for better health care in Pakistan, the government decided to launch the program across the country.
Read more: PM launches Sehat Insaf Card for every family of KP
Since the start of 2022, PTI has been very proactive in spreading its universal health coverage system. On the 1st of January, the health card was launched in Lahore, and then on the 20th of the same month, Rawalpindi saw the launch of the universal card. In the month of February, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, and Multan were added to the program, bringing nearly 18.64 families under its coverage.
Sehat Card in Sindh
Important to note, Sindh remains the only province that does not have the Sehat Card. The launch of the Sehat Card in Sindh is something the federal government and the Sindh government frequently trade barbs over as the latter refuses to join the program.
According to Sindh Government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab, the Sindh government doesn’t believe in issuing ‘Sehat Cards’. On the other hand, every citizen should have access to health facilities.
However, this time around, the government is adamant to launch the Sehat Card in Sindh. As per media sources, an NHS official revealed that the federal government is planning issuing sehat cards to families all across Karachi.
Read more: Aseefa Bhutto praises swift response of Punjab’s emergency service