K-P govt adds major transplants in Sehat Card programme
Listen to article
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has decided to include the treatment of three major transplant procedures — kidney, liver, and bone marrow — under its Sehat Card Plus programme.
Additionally, the cost of cochlear implants will also be fully covered by the government.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister of K-P. Provincial Information Adviser Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said the government would now provide transplant and implant services completely free of cost, marking a major expansion of the health insurance scheme.
'This is another revolutionary step in line with the founding chairman's vision,' stated Barrister Saif, referring to the PTI's healthcare reforms.
He added that services under this programme would be accessible to eligible citizens without any financial burden.
The provincial health department has been instructed to implement these changes immediately. The government also plans to soon include rehabilitation services for drug-addicted individuals under the Sehat Card.
In a parallel development, the K-P government approved regulations allowing the use of cannabis plants for medical, research, and industrial purposes.
Earlier, K-P government launched free Outpatient Department (OPD) services under the Sehat Card Plus scheme. The initiative was officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur during a ceremony held at the Chief Minister House.
The OPD scheme began as a pilot project in the Mardan district, where it was initially rolled out to benefit 50,000 deserving households.
The project was expected to expand in the second phase to Chitral, Malakand, and Kohat districts, eventually reaching around 120,000 deserving households in these areas, based on data from the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Doctors reject imposition of professional tax
Various medics associations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have rejected professional tax imposed on doctors by the provincial government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). President of the Pakistan Doctors Council K-P chapter, Dr Majid, addressed a joint press conference at the Peshawar Press Club Wednesday alongside leaders from doctors' organizations, including Dr Janbaz Afridi of the Peoples Doctors Forum, Dr Adil of the Young Doctors Association, and Dr Wasim of the Allied Doctors. Dr Majid strongly condemned the provincial government of PTI for imposing an oppressive professional tax on doctors. He said the Doctors Council categorically rejects this tax and has formed a three-member committee to negotiate with the government for its immediate withdrawal. He also demanded the cessation of ongoing actions related to this tax. The council called on the government to immediately revoke letters issued by the Excise and Taxation Department directing deductions from doctors' salaries, particularly concerning finance directors and accountants of Medical Teaching Institutes (MTIs) in K-P. He further demanded salary increases for all doctors in the province, including house officers, trainee medical officers, and medical officers, in keeping with the current inflation rate in the provincial budget. He urged the Health Care Commission to immediately stop imposing heavy fines on doctors under the pretext of registration and to develop a proper, consultative procedure for such matters. Highlighting ongoing harassment of doctors over drug sales licenses, Majid demanded a halt to these practices and urged the government to implement court rulings favoring doctors in this regard. The president criticized the Public Service Commission (PSC) for not advertising any job vacancies since 2017, calling it a grave injustice to aspiring medical professionals. He demanded that job postings resume immediately to recruit new doctors.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Climate Action Board Bill approved
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has approved the "Climate Action Board (CAB) Bill 2025." Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, Barrister Dr Saif, stated that the bill would provide a comprehensive and effective framework to tackle climate change across province. He said that the CAB will be an autonomous financial body, responsible for monitoring and coordinating environmental strategies across all government departments. The board will also be tasked with developing and revising environmental policies, conducting research, assessing performance, and ensuring effective implementation. Furthermore, it will have the authority to collaborate with international organizations, environmental experts, and the private sector to address environmental challenges. Saif added that a special "Climate Action Fund" would be established under the board to financially support environmental projects and encourage eco-friendly initiatives at the local level. He emphasized that the initiative marked the second major environmental project by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, following the success of the Billion Tree Tsunami Project, and aimed to mitigate the risks of climate change while promoting sustainable development. Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day 2025 The Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar in collaboration with Menstrual Health Management (MHM) Working Group Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, WaterAid, UNICEF, and other sector partners, organized a high-level event at KMU's Alexander Fleming Hall. The event held under the global theme "Together for a "Period Friendly World," the event brought together health professionals, representatives from academic and research institutions, development partners, and youth. KMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zia Ul Haq graced the occasion as the chief guest and reaffirmed the collective commitment to ending menstrual taboos and promoting dignified menstrual health. More input from APP
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
'Nursing hospitals not meeting standards'
A parliamentary panel was told on Monday that fifteen medical colleges were registered without any inspection during the PTI's rule while none of the 55 nursing colleges recently visited by the health secretary were eligible for accreditation. Minister of State for National Health Services Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health that 55 nursing colleges were recently visited. "According to the report [submitted by the health secretary], not a single college was found eligible for accreditation. A detailed report is being prepared by the Pakistan Nursing Council," he added. During the committee meeting, chaired by Mahesh Malani, Abdul Qadir Patel authorized Dr Shazia Sobia to discuss the Pharmacy Bill on his behalf. Patel said as soon as the PPP came into power, it transferred the authority related to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to the provinces so they could conduct their own tests. "However, the provinces were not prepared at the time, which is why tests could not be conducted immediately. We want the provinces to carry out their own enlistments," he said. The committee chairman referred to the complaints from students of Al-Nafees Medical College regarding non-registration. Dr Bharath reiterated that 15 medical colleges were registered during the PTI's term without inspection, and their cases have been sent to the Federal Investigation Agency. The executive director of the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM) told the panel that the institute had now started surgeries for correcting clubfoot in children. "NIRM has a medical budget of Rs40 million, which is very low. Due to this, patients often have to purchase medicines. However, we ensure that epilepsy medications are never out of stock," he said. The committee expressed concerns over the inadequate medicine budget and emphasized that it should be increased. It announced plans to visit the institute and make recommendations to the government. In Punjab, medicines are provided free of charge through the health cards system but even poor patients in some areas are forced to purchase them. It was suggested that Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal should be used to provide medicines to deserving patients. RAYZA KHAN
