The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has made a landmark decision by expanding the coverage of the Sehat Card Plus program, providing free medical treatment for a wider range of diseases.
In addition to previously covered kidney and liver transplants, the program will now also include bone marrow transplants, cochlear implants, and thalassemia treatment.
This expansion aims to provide relief to financially disadvantaged patients who require life-saving procedures but cannot afford them.
Sehat Card Expansion
Now, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government has not only reinstated the program but has also expanded its coverage to include more critical medical procedures.
The decision reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and providing equitable access to quality medical treatment.
Bone marrow transplants are essential for patients suffering from blood disorders such as leukemia, lymphoma, and aplastic anemia.
These implants are particularly crucial for children under five, as early intervention significantly improves speech and language development. Under the Sehat Card program, eligible children will receive free cochlear implants and post-surgery rehabilitation.
The government’s decision to include thalassemia treatment under the Sehat Card Plus program will ease the financial burden on affected families and ensure continuous medical care.
Establishment of an Endowment Fund
To ensure sustainable funding for these expensive medical procedures, the government plans to establish an Endowment Fund, similar to the models implemented in Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan.
The Health and Finance Departments are actively collaborating to finalize the operational framework for this fund.
The objective is to create a long-term financial structure that guarantees continuous healthcare services for the province’s most vulnerable patients.
This ensures that the program primarily benefits low-income families who cannot afford expensive medical treatments.
Additionally, the program will cover post-transplant medications for one year, reducing the financial burden on patients recovering from major surgical procedures.
