Sehat Card to cover drug rehab programme
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said that the drug addicts' rehabilitation program will soon be integrated into the Sehat Card Plus initiative.
A ceremony was held in Peshawar on Thursday to mark the completion of the third phase of the Drug-Free Peshawar program. Gandapur was the chief guest at the event, while members of the provincial cabinet, members of the National and Provincial Assemblies, government officials, and civil society representatives were also in attendance.
On this occasion, individuals who had successfully completed rehabilitation under the Drug-Free Peshawar program's third phase were reunited with their families.
The third phase was launched in November 2024, during which 1,239 drug addicts were rehabilitated. Among them were 13 women and 28 underage boys.
The rehabilitated individuals included 611 from Peshawar, 536 from other districts of the province, 48 from Punjab, 10 from Sindh, and 26 Afghan citizens. This is the largest drug rehabilitation program to date, with a substantial allocation of Rs320 million.
Speaking at the event, the chief minister expressed his joy at witnessing the reintegration of rehabilitated individuals with their families. He stated that the program aims to make the province drug-free and help addicts return to normal life so they can become productive and responsible citizens.
The chief minister emphasized that this initiative is not limited to the province alone but is a nationwide and even global program, as people from other provinces and even Afghanistan have benefited from it.
"We do not reject anyone based on their province or nationality," he added.
Gandapur highlighted that this rehabilitation project began in 2022, and in its first two phases, a total of 2,400 drug addicts were successfully treated.
This included 1,154 individuals from Peshawar, 1,039 from other districts of K-P, 170 from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, and 34 foreign nationals.
The chief minister reiterated that his leader's vision is to establish a welfare state where the government cares for its people like a mother.
"Deputy Commissioners only need to bring drug addicts to the relevant office, and the government will bear the cost of their treatment," he declared. He urged the public to hand over drug addicts for rehabilitation, assuring them that the government will ensure their treatment.
The CM also stressed a simple definition of right and wrong: "Anything you cannot do openly is wrong."
He further stated that drugs neither bring happiness nor peace; they only lead to destruction. True peace and progress, he said, lie in following the commandments of Allah.
The chief minister urged people to fight against drug dealers and expel them from their communities.
Police will support you. Inform them, and they will take immediate action. We must not spare drug dealers, as they are the enemies of our children and youth, he asserted.
Ali Amin Gandapur concluded by emphasizing the collective responsibility to eliminate drugs and drug traffickers. He also thanked the business community for providing employment opportunities to rehabilitated individuals.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Survivors of terrorism lack access to counselling
Located just 45 kilometers from the Afghan border, Peshawar has been in the grip of terrorism since the last 15 to 20 years, with thousands of people losing their lives and livelihoods to the war on terror. However, not a single rehabilitation center could be built in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) to help victims of terrorism and their families to recover from their trauma. In 2009, Yasir Khan lost six members of his family in the horrific bomb blast in Peshawar's Pipal Mandi. "More than 15 years have passed since the incident, but even today, when a terrorist incident occurs, my mind goes into shock again for a few moments. Perhaps the trauma of that incident has been buried deep within me. About 150 people were killed in the blast while about 250 were injured. The survivors are suffering from post-traumatic stress, but they have not been able to access psychological help," said Khan. Likewise, in 2014, Arif Aqeel, a school teacher was badly injured in two suicide attacks at the All-Saints Church in Peshawar. Hailing from the Christian community, Arif lost one of his legs and a large chunk of his memory due to severe head injuries. Three years later, Arif's wounds could not heal, and he passed away. "First the shock of the explosion and then the death of Arif left a lasting impact on his wife and children. The family has not received counseling till date, due to which they are still suffering from psychological problems," shared Arif's brother-in-law, Augustine Jacob. Similarly, Sir Naeem Gulzar, who was injured in the Peshawar Qissa Khawani blasts twice, shared a poignant narration of what goes on in the mind of a survivor coping with the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Even though ten years have passed since the tragedy, even today Gulzar is fearful of leaving the house and going to work. "Whenever I hear the sound of a vehicle, rickshaw, or a tyre bursting, I run away, thinking it is an explosion. Despite my efforts, I cannot get rid of the fear in my mind. My family has taken me to a psychiatrist twice, but it has not helped," shared Gulzar. Gulzar's experience is not an isolated case. With the alarming increase in terrorist activity over the past few years, more and more people directly impacted by extremist atrocities are stuck in a cycle of trauma. According to data obtained by The Express Tribune, in 2022, 200 incidents of terrorism were reported in K-P and the tribal areas, while in 2023, 560 incidents of terrorism occurred. In 2022, a total of 83 police officers and 96 soldiers were martyred, while in 2023, 167 police officers and 101 soldiers were killed. These incidents include the Peshawar Police Lines blast, the suicide attack on the Peshawar Kocha Risaldar Mosque and the explosion at a public meeting in Bajaur. In 2023, cases of terrorism witnessed a surge of about 70 per cent in K-P and the tribal areas, while 2024, saw a further 20 per cent increase in such incidents, with 630 incidents reported throughout the year. Talking about the impact of terrorism on the quality of life, Professor Dr Jamil Chitrali, Chairman of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Peshawar, revealed that in the past 20 years, 70,000 to 80,000 people have been killed in terrorist activity in Pakistan, out of which about 60,000 were civilians while 20,000 were personnel from the police, armed forces and other government agencies. "The APS attack, Pipal Mandi and Khyber Bazar blasts were such big tragedies that it seems that people in every street of Peshawar have experiences their trauma. Unfortunately, however, there are only 500 mental health professionals in the country for a population of over 240 million. Until or unless there is a district-level rehab center for victims of terrorism and their families, these people will continue to suffer from despair, depression and psychological problems," implored Dr Chitrali. Dr Uzma Ali, a clinical psychologist, told The Express Tribune that survivors of terrorism required clinical treatment and community support to deal with the post-traumatic stress disorder. "Furthermore, the families of such victims also need counseling. People going through trauma should be supported by family, and relevant institutions such as health, social welfare, and the district administration. These victims should be considered under the Victim Support Program, which could help them cope with their trauma," said Dr Ali.
Express Tribune
17-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Clean water drive rolled out in capital villages
The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration has launched a clean drinking water initiative in rural parts of the capital, with the installation of three new solar-powered water filtration plants. The project aims to curb the spread of water-borne diseases in communities that previously lacked access to safe water. One of the filtration plants was inaugurated in Sangjhani by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (East), Islamabad, along with the Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) Pakistan. This plant is among three facilities set up under a collaborative effort by the DC Office, WHO, and the Government of Canada. The newly installed filtration system in Sangjhani will serve over 23,000 people, including local residents and Afghan refugees. Powered by solar energy, the plant ensures uninterrupted access to filtered water in areas with unstable electricity supply, while also promoting environmental sustainability and reducing operational costs. The filtration plants are designed to operate daily, allowing residents to collect clean water throughout the day. These facilities are a major step forward for remote communities that have long relied on contaminated sources, resulting in high rates of water-related illnesses. Officials at the inauguration highlighted the critical link between clean water and public health, emphasizing that improving water quality is essential for disease prevention, particularly among children who are most vulnerable to unsafe water. Residents welcomed the development, expressing hope that the new infrastructure would improve health outcomes and ease daily hardships. The DC Office affirmed its commitment to expanding such efforts across other underserved areas of Islamabad as part of a broader strategy to enhance rural infrastructure and living standards.
Express Tribune
20-04-2025
- Express Tribune
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).
