PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Monday said life insurance would be included in the Sehat Card Plus programme, and directed the relevant authorities to come up with a viable plan to ensure social protection to the citizens.

He issued the directives while chairing a meeting held here on Monday, according to a statement.

Adviser to CM for health Ahtisham Ali, adviser for finance Muzzamil Aslam, additional chief secretary planning and development Ikramullah Khan, high-ups of health department and State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC) attended the meeting.

Mr Gandapur also took notice of the complaints regarding suspension of cardiac surgeries at Peshawar Institute of Cardiology under the Sehat Card Plus due to the existing rates, and directed the authorities concerned to make sure resumption of cardiac surgeries there.

He said that that the provincial government would also bear the additional expenses of the cardiac procedures ensuring that no burden was placed on the patients.

He also directed the relevant quarters to ensure that patients did not face any difficulties in getting treatment under the free healthcare facility.

The chief minister termed Sehat Card Plus as a key initiative of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government and said that his administration would go all out to make it more inclusive by covering treatment of remaining diseases and ensuring transparency and accountability.

Mr Gandapur added that Sehat Card was not only an initiative but a complete package of social protection. He announced that keeping in view the needs of the citizens hospitals with good reputation would also be added to the Sehat Card panel, ensuring that people in remote areas also had access to free and quality healthcare services at their doorsteps.

He said that his government was regularly making payments to SLIC for Sehat Card Plus on priority, and that there should be no obstruction in providing free healthcare to the patients under the cashless facility.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2024