Starting July 1, 2025, the Punjab government has officially discontinued free medical treatment under the health card programme across all public hospitals in the province, including Rawalpindi. The Punjab Health Initiative Management Committee issued a formal notification, instructing hospitals and health officials to halt all services linked to the scheme.
According to the provincial health department’s directive, medical superintendents, district health officers, and health authority heads have been told not to process any documents related to free healthcare under the programme. The partnering insurance company has also been instructed to reject any claims or paperwork related to the now-terminated scheme.
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All treatments previously covered by the health card—such as surgeries, dialysis, and cardiac procedures—will now require full payment from patients. Hospital administrations in Rawalpindi and surrounding areas have already begun discharging patients admitted under the now-defunct plan.
The decision has triggered concern among low-income families who relied on the health card for critical and life-saving procedures. With no alternate coverage announced yet, many patients are left scrambling for funds amid rising medical costs.
