Islamabad: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of National Health Services and State Life Insurance for provision of health insurance services to the under-privileged as part of the Prime Minister’s National Health Insurance Programme. The MoU was signed by Health Secretary Ayub Sheikh and State Life Insurance Chairperson Nargis Ghaloo in the presence of Minister of State for Health Saira Afzal Tarar. Speaking on the occasion, Saira expressed confidence that the scheme would bring about drastic improvement in terms of treatment, and access to treatment, by the under-privileged. The districts included in the first phase of the programme are Narowal, Khanewal, Sargodha, Rahimyar Khan, Shikarpur, Badin, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Mardan, Malakand, Kohat, Chitral, Quetta, Loralai, Lasbela, Kech, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Diamer, Skardu, Bajaur Agency, Khyber Agency and ICT. Saira said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is actively pursuing a vision of universal health coverage, social protection, and healthcare provision, with a special emphasis on people living near and below the poverty line.
