Lady Reading Hospital ends free health card services

Peshawar: The management of Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) in Peshawar has made the tough decision to cease offering free treatment to patients holding health cards.

This decision, which has been conveyed through an official letter from the hospital administration, stems from the hospital's dire financial constraints, preventing it from sustaining the cost of free treatment.

The announcement underscores a major policy shift at Peshawar's prominent healthcare institution.

As per the notification, the hospital has suspended admissions and various services associated with the healthcare facility.

This decision was ratified during a meeting of the hospital's Board of Governors (BOG).

With the exception of emergency cases, patients will now be responsible for the purchase of their medications.

LRH's spokesperson, Muhammad Asim, shed light on the financial challenges that led to this decision.

He revealed that the hospital had expended a substantial sum, approximately two billion rupees, to provide free treatment to health cardholders.

To compound the issue, State Life Insurance owes an outstanding two billion rupees to LRH, creating a critical funding shortfall that has left the hospital unable to continue offering free treatment.

As Muhammad Asim elaborated, even the pharmaceutical companies have expressed their inability to supply more drugs until the arrears are settled.

The LRH administration remains in constant communication with State Life Insurance, striving to secure the release of funds that could alleviate the hospital's financial burdens.