Sehat Sahulat Programme: Free-of-cost service limited to only extremely poor, says minister

ISLAMABAD: Free of charge health services under Sehat Sahulat Program would only be available to those living below the poverty line, which constitutes 30 percent of the country’s population, the health minister announced.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, health minister Dr Nadeem Jan said healthcare is not absolutely free anywhere in the world. People have to contribute their share to avail medical services except for a segment of society living below poverty line, who are up to 30 percent of the population. The rest of the population will have to bear a certain percentage of cost incurred on their medical treatment under health insurance program in Pakistan.

He also shared the details of upgrading 500 basic health units across the country under an agreement signed between the health ministry and WHO on Monday. The initiative will strengthen the primary healthcare system across the country and ensure quality healthcare at people’s doorsteps.

Dr Nadeem Jan said digital health strategy seeks to digitize the entire healthcare system starting with the ministry of health to enhance planning and decision-making capabilities. The nationwide rollout of the initiative promises to revolutionize healthcare delivery.

“In the ministry of health, we have introduced fundamental governance reforms, including establishment of an accountability cell, grievance cell, transfer and posting cell, foreign visits committee and internal audit mechanisms,” he added.

To a question about shortage of medicines in the country, the health minister said around 80 percent of medicines, which were not available in the country, are available now. “We have introduced a special app for the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan to address public complaints effectively,” he added.

He said the health ministry has launched a National Health Support Program worth $432 million to strengthen the healthcare system providing immunization, TB nutrition, antenatal care facilities, HPV vaccines for cervical cancer prevention and an electronic registration system.