Punjab to discontinue ‘Health Card’ facility in govt hospitals

Lahore: The Punjab government has dropped another inflation bomb on the people as it has been decided to discontinue the facility of ‘Sehat Card’ used for free treatment in government hospitals.

In this regard, a formal letter has been issued by the Punjab Health Initiative Management Company to the heads of all government hospitals, stating that the facility of treatment through the Health Card will not be available after June 30, 2025.

According to the letter, all hospitals have been instructed to clear all dues for treatment done under the Health Card before June 30, as the facility will end after this date.

It has been further said that the Punjab Chief Minister will introduce a new policy for free treatment after June 30.

It is pertinent to note that the pilot project of the Health Card was started in 2014 by the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while in December 2021, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government formally inaugurated the project across Punjab.

Under this program, millions of poor people received free treatment in a dignified manner in government hospitals instead of expensive ones.