Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) in Peshawar has suspended free treatment under the Sehat Card program, leaving patients in distress.
According to the hospital administration, the suspension is due to non-payment of funds by the government to the insurance company managing the scheme. The outstanding dues, amounting to millions of rupees, have not been cleared, putting the hospital under financial strain.
Officials said that without these payments, the hospital cannot continue offering free consultations, diagnostics, and medicines under the Sehat Card. This sudden halt has forced many patients to seek alternative medical care, often at high personal cost.
Patients expressed concern about the interruption, noting that the Sehat Card program was their primary means of accessing healthcare. Many said they could not afford private treatment and were worried about the impact on chronic illnesses and ongoing treatments.
The hospital administration has urged the government to release pending funds immediately to resume services. They warned that further delays could worsen healthcare delivery and affect patient trust in public healthcare programs.
The Sehat Card initiative was designed to provide free medical services to low-income families across Pakistan. The suspension at KTH highlights the challenges public hospitals face when government payments are delayed, potentially affecting thousands of patients.
Healthcare experts emphasize the importance of timely funding to maintain the program’s effectiveness. They noted that uninterrupted financial support is essential to ensure hospitals can continue serving vulnerable populations.
In other related news also read KP Increases Maximum Limit of Sehat Card
Khyber Teaching Hospital is one of the largest healthcare facilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, providing critical medical services to thousands of patients daily. The temporary halt in free treatment underlines the need for efficient funding mechanisms to support public healthcare systems.
