DLP Report
Peshawar
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has directed the authorities to introduce pragmatic and workable reforms to further improve the Sehat Card Plus Programme, enhance its effectiveness and ensure its long-term sustainability, stressing that the people must receive the full and intended benefits of the public welfare initiative.
He said health and education were the foremost priorities of the provincial government and directed the relevant authorities to ensure the timely disposal and implementation of all matters and initiatives relating to these sectors. He made it clear that there would be no room for unnecessary delays or impediments in this regard.
The Chief Minister was chairing a high-level meeting on the Sehat Card Plus Programme, which reviewed a range of proposals aimed at strengthening the programme’s coverage, service delivery, governance and financial sustainability.
The meeting considered a proposal to bring Basic Health Units (BHUs), Rural Health Centres (RHCs) and Category-D hospitals operating round the clock throughout the week under the Sehat Card Plus Programme. Proposals to expand coverage for high-cost treatments and introduce a phased increase in service rates were also discussed.
The Chief Minister stressed the need to prevent misuse of the Sehat Card facility and directed that all empanelled hospitals be required to comply with a clearly defined code of conduct. He also called for stronger transparency, accountability, service quality and financial discipline across the programme.
“The Sehat Card Plus is a major public service and must be managed in a manner that delivers greater value and better outcomes for the people,” the Chief Minister said. He directed the authorities to take concrete measures to further improve the programme’s efficiency and effectiveness.
He said the ongoing revamping of Basic Health Centres and District Headquarters Hospitals was aimed at bringing quality healthcare closer to communities and ensuring access to essential health services at people’s doorsteps.
“The provincial government is allocating substantial resources to improve healthcare delivery; these resources must translate into efficient service delivery and tangible outcomes for the public,” he added.
The meeting also agreed on the need to enhance the institutional capacity of the Social Health Protection Unit. A proposal to introduce an optional top-up health package for government employees under the Sehat Card framework was also considered.
The Chief Minister said that, in line with the vision of Imran Khan, health and education remained at the top of the provincial government’s policy agenda.
“We will move forward with a practical, results-oriented strategy. Our ultimate objective is to ensure the provision of the best possible healthcare services to the people,” he said.
The Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to formulate a comprehensive action plan on the proposed reforms and interventions through mutual consultation and submit it for consideration.
He further announced that the matter would be reviewed at a follow-up meeting next week, where all proposals would be finalised and a clear, effective and implementable roadmap for further strengthening the Sehat Card Plus Programme would be developed.
