The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has announced another great initiative (Free OPD Health Card) for its people.
Under the vision of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has introduced free OPD (Outpatient Department) services in the Sehat Card Plus program.
This is a big step towards making healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone in the province.
What is the New Initiative?
The KP government has decided to include free OPD services in the Sehat Card Plus scheme.
This means that people can now get free medical check-ups, medicines, and tests without being admitted to a hospital. Earlier, the Sehat Card only covered indoor patients, but now OPD patients will also benefit from free healthcare services.
Pilot Project Starts in Mardan
The free OPD services will first be launched as a pilot project in Mardan district. Around 50,000 deserving families in Mardan will be able to use this facility.
After the pilot phase, the scheme will be expanded to other districts like Chitral, Malakand, and Kohat.
How Will It Work?
Under this new initiative, patients can visit Basic Health Units (BHUs), Rural Health Centers (RHCs), and Union Council-level health facilities for free OPD services.
They will not have to pay for medicines, tests, or doctor consultations. The program is being launched with the support of a German organization, KfW, and will later be expanded to cover more areas.
Who Will Benefit?
The scheme will benefit around 120,000 deserving families in the four pilot districts.
The government is using data from the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to identify eligible families.
This ensures that the poorest and most deserving people get access to free healthcare.
KP Leads the Way in Healthcare:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the first province in Pakistan to offer free OPD services under the Sehat Card Plus program.
This shows the government’s commitment to improving healthcare and making it accessible to all.
What Did the Chief Minister Say?
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur spoke at the launch event and shared some important points:
- Imran Khan’s Vision: He praised Imran Khan’s vision of a welfare state and said the KP government is working hard to achieve this goal.
- Expansion of Sehat Card: The PTI government has expanded the Sehat Card scheme to cover the entire province, ensuring that more people can benefit from free healthcare.
- Transparency and Savings: The government has improved monitoring and transparency in the health card program, saving Rs. 1 billion every month.
- Focus on Government Hospitals: Before, 70% of treatments under the Sehat Card were done in private hospitals. Now, 70% of treatments are done in government hospitals, thanks to improved facilities and public trust.
- Other Welfare Projects: The government is also working on other projects like cardiac centers, life insurance schemes, and financial support for girls’ weddings.
Key Achievements of the KP Government:
- Increased provincial revenue by 55%.
- Achieved a surplus of Rs. 176 billion.
- Met all IMF targets, making KP the only province to do so.
Conclusion:
The addition of free OPD (health Card) services to the Sehat Card Plus program is a major step towards improving healthcare in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
It shows the government’s dedication to serving the people and ensuring that everyone, especially the poor, can access quality healthcare. With this initiative, KP is setting an example for other provinces to follow.
This is indeed great news for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and it proves that the government is working hard to make life better for its citizens.