Key Takeaways
- The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is set to introduce an optional top-up health package for government employees.
- The Sehat Card Plus Programme will be expanded to include Basic Health Units, Rural Health Centres, and Category-D hospitals.
- Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi directed the development of a comprehensive action plan for the proposed reforms.
The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is planning to introduce an optional top-up health package for government employees under the Sehat Card framework. This initiative was discussed during a high-level meeting held in Peshawar, chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi.
The meeting reviewed various measures to strengthen the Sehat Card Plus Programme, including bringing Basic Health Units, Rural Health Centres, and Category-D hospitals under its coverage. The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of these reforms in ensuring better healthcare services for the people.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chief Minister stated, '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.'
The Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to develop a comprehensive action plan on the proposed reforms and interventions through mutual consultation. He also announced that the matter would be reviewed again at a follow-up meeting next week, where all proposals would be finalised.
The Sehat Card Plus is described as a major public welfare facility, and its further improvement, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability require pragmatic, workable reforms. The Chief Minister stressed the need to strengthen transparency, accountability, service quality, and financial discipline across the programme.
He emphasized that the misuse of the Sehat Card facility must be prevented and directed that empanelled hospitals be required to comply with a clearly defined code of conduct. The Chief Minister also highlighted the ongoing revamping of Basic Health Centres and District Headquarters Hospitals, aimed at bringing quality healthcare closer to communities.
The provincial government is allocating substantial resources to improve healthcare delivery, and these resources must translate into efficient service delivery and tangible outcomes for the public, the Chief Minister concluded.
The Chief Minister further stated that health and education are the foremost priorities of the provincial government and directed the relevant authorities to ensure the timely disposal and implementation of all matters and initiatives pertaining to these sectors, making it clear that there would be no room for delay or impediment in this regard.
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.
Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
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.
Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
