The government has confirmed that the Sehat Card program will become a permanent part of the federal healthcare system.
According to officials, the Ministry of National Health Services has forwarded a proposal to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.
Muhammad Arshad, the head of the Sehat Sahulat Card initiative, shared that the move will ensure long-term healthcare coverage for around 2.7 million families. These include residents of Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and Tharparkar district.
Arshad told Samaa TV, “The Sehat Sahulat Card is going to be maintained permanently under the federal programme. The matter has been sent to ECNEC for approval.”
He added that the program aims to provide universal health coverage to people living in remote and less-developed areas. Once approved, the scheme will allow continued access to medical services without financial stress.
The Sehat Sahulat Card covers a range of treatments including surgeries, hospital stays, maternity care, and long-term illnesses. Over 600 public and private hospitals across Pakistan are part of the panel where cardholders can receive treatment.
Initially, the program was designed to help low-income families. Later, provinces like Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa adopted and expanded it under their own systems. However, regions without their own health departments—like AJK, GB, and Islamabad—have continued to depend on the federal version.
The card has helped many families who otherwise could not afford medical care. It ensures that no one is left behind due to financial constraints, especially in less-developed districts.
Officials believe the permanent federal status of the scheme will help strengthen healthcare access in areas that need it most.
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