Breaking News: Major Govt Hospital in Peshawar Stops Sehat Card Free Services
The healthcare system of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been shaken as Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH), one of the province’s largest medical facilities, has stopped Sehat Card free services due to unpaid dues from the provincial government. This shocking development has left thousands of poor patients in distress, as the hospital was a lifeline for those who relied entirely on the Sehat Card Plus program for free treatment.
According to hospital authorities, the decision to suspend the Sehat Card free services was made after several months of pending payments from the KP Health Department. The hospital had continued to provide free care under the Sehat Card Plus initiative despite financial strain, but with mounting unpaid bills reaching millions, operations could no longer continue. Essential services like heart surgeries, cancer treatments, and dialysis have now been severely affected.
This suspension marks a major setback for the KP government’s flagship healthcare initiative — the Sehat Card Plus program — which was launched to provide universal healthcare coverage worth up to Rs. 1 million per family. The program, once celebrated as a revolutionary step toward free healthcare for all, now faces uncertainty as one of Peshawar’s biggest government hospitals has completely halted its participation due to financial bottlenecks.
Introduction: Healthcare Shock for KP Residents
The Sehat Card Plus program was a proud initiative of the KP government, offering free healthcare up to Rs. 1 million per family annually. It aimed to provide financial relief to the poor and ensure no one was denied treatment due to lack of money. However, the suspension of these services at KTH Peshawar—one of the busiest and most trusted hospitals in the province—marks a serious setback for public healthcare.
According to hospital officials, the decision came after the provincial government failed to release pending payments, leading to a massive financial deficit. The hospital had been operating under strain for months, providing services without reimbursement from the health department.
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What Is the Sehat Card Plus Program?
The Sehat Card Plus is a government-funded health insurance scheme launched to ensure free and universal medical treatment for every citizen of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Each family registered under NADRA was eligible for free treatment in over 700 public and private hospitals.
Key Features of the Sehat Card
| Coverage Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Limit | Rs. 1 Million per Family |
| Eligibility | All KP Residents with CNIC |
| Services Covered | Heart, Kidney, Cancer, Maternity, Emergency |
| Hospitals | Public and Private Empaneled Hospitals |
| Managing Authority | State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC) |
The scheme gained immense popularity, especially among rural families who couldn’t afford private healthcare.
Why Did KTH Stop Free Sehat Card Services?
The hospital administration stated that pending dues worth hundreds of millions were not cleared by the provincial government. Despite repeated appeals, the reimbursement process was delayed, resulting in a severe cash flow crisis.
Officials confirmed that without these funds, the hospital could not continue to offer free medicines, surgeries, or diagnostic tests. Many essential departments such as oncology, cardiology, and nephrology have now reduced operations.
A hospital spokesperson said, “We had no choice but to temporarily suspend Sehat Card services. The unpaid dues made it impossible to maintain daily operations.”
Impact on Patients and Families
The suspension has directly affected hundreds of low-income patients who relied on free care. Many patients suffering from chronic illnesses like cancer, kidney failure, and heart disease are now unable to continue treatment.
Families who traveled from far-flung areas of KP to Peshawar for free medical care were shocked to learn that the Sehat Card facility was no longer valid. Some have been forced to borrow money or delay life-saving surgeries.
A patient from Swabi said, “We came here for my father’s heart surgery, but they told us Sehat Card is stopped. We have no money to pay.”
Public Reaction and Outrage
The news of the suspension spread like wildfire across social media, with thousands criticizing the KP government for failing to manage its flagship health project. Civil society activists, journalists, and politicians expressed anger, saying the government had “betrayed the poor.”
Many users on X (Twitter) and Facebook demanded immediate restoration of the program, tagging the Health Department and caretaker officials.
Government’s Official Response
In response, the Health Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa admitted that payments had been delayed but assured that the issue was being resolved. A spokesperson said:
“Funds for Sehat Card Plus will be released soon. The program will resume once financial matters are cleared.”
However, officials did not provide a specific timeline for when the hospital services would restart.
Other Hospitals Facing Similar Issues
KTH is not alone in this crisis. Several other major hospitals across the province—including Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), and Ayub Teaching Hospital (ATH)—have reported similar financial constraints.
Some hospitals are still providing Sehat Card services but warned that they too might have to halt operations if funds are not released soon.
Economic and Administrative Challenges
Experts say that the universal healthcare model of the Sehat Card Plus program, though visionary, is financially unsustainable without regular budget allocations. The rising cost of medical procedures and delayed government reimbursements have placed extreme pressure on hospitals.
Public health analysts recommend that the government either restructure the program into a targeted model (for low-income families only) or bring in public-private partnerships for financial stability.
Comparison with Other Provinces
While KP aimed for 100% universal coverage, provinces like Punjab and Sindh have adopted limited and focused models, targeting specific groups such as low-income households or government employees.
Punjab, for instance, runs the Sehat Sahulat Program with controlled budgets and phased rollouts, ensuring continuity. Experts believe KP’s full-scale model requires financial reforms and tighter monitoring.
Possible Solutions Suggested by Experts
To prevent the collapse of the Sehat Card system, healthcare experts have suggested the following:
- Immediate clearance of pending hospital payments.
- Periodic audits to ensure transparency in fund utilization.
- Revised insurance contracts with more efficient payment cycles.
- Introduction of a co-payment model where patients contribute a small portion.
- Strengthening digital claim systems to minimize administrative delays.
Humanitarian Concerns
The halt in free healthcare has created a humanitarian emergency in the province. For many families, the Sehat Card was the only hope to access quality healthcare. Without it, the poor are again at the mercy of private hospitals and out-of-pocket expenses.
Health rights organizations have urged the provincial government to declare this issue a “medical emergency” and allocate urgent relief funds to restore services immediately.
Political Repercussions
The suspension has also become a political controversy. Opposition parties have accused the government of “failing to protect the welfare of the people.” Analysts warn that the ongoing crisis could damage public confidence in future healthcare reforms if not handled transparently.
Future Outlook
While government officials assure that Sehat Card operations will resume soon, no clear timeline or financial strategy has been presented yet. Without swift intervention, the suspension could spread to more hospitals, worsening the situation for millions of citizens.
The revival of the Sehat Card Plus program will depend on budget prioritization, efficient fund management, and strong political will.
Conclusion – Major Govt Hospital in Peshawar Stops Sehat Card Free Services
The suspension of Sehat Card free services at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar serves as a grim reminder of Pakistan’s fragile healthcare financing system. What was once a symbol of hope for the poor now stands on the brink of collapse due to mismanagement and delayed payments.
The provincial government must act swiftly to restore trust and ensure that the people of KP continue to receive the free healthcare they were promised under the Sehat Card Plus program.
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FAQs About Sehat Card Plus Suspension in Peshawar
Q1: Why did KTH Peshawar stop Sehat Card free services?
KTH suspended Sehat Card services due to non-payment of dues by the KP government, which created a financial crisis in the hospital.
Q2: Are other hospitals in KP still offering Sehat Card services?
Some hospitals like LRH and HMC are still providing services, but they too are facing financial difficulties.
Q3: How much treatment coverage was available under the Sehat Card Plus?
Each registered family received free treatment worth up to Rs. 1 million annually.
Q4: When will the Sehat Card services resume?
The Health Department has said payments will be released soon, but no confirmed date has been announced.
Q5: What treatments were covered under Sehat Card Plus?
It covered heart surgeries, dialysis, cancer care, childbirth, and emergency services.
Q6: Who managed the Sehat Card program?
The program was managed by the State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC) under the supervision of the KP Health Department.
Q7: Is the Sehat Card valid in other provinces?
Yes, but only in hospitals that are empaneled under the national Sehat Sahulat Program.
Q8: What can affected patients do now?
Patients can contact the hospital administration or KP Health Department helpline for updates and alternative treatment options.
