Latest news with #SehatCard
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JUI-F blasts PTI over Kohistan scandal
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) provincial spokesperson Haji Abdul Jalil Jan has accused Barrister Saif of misleading the nation by blaming 12 years of corruption on the caretaker government. Responding to recent statements by the K-P Adviser on Information, Jalil Jan challenged Barrister Saif to present the cheques issued during Taimur Jhagra's tenure as finance minister in connection with the Kohistan scandal. He said that those who constantly label others as thieves have now been caught red-handed. The same political party that promised one million jobs, five million homes, and rivers of milk and honey in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is itself mired in corruption scandals. Jalil Jan further stated that following the BRT project, Malam Jabba land case, Billion Tree Tsunami, wheat scandal, and misuse of the Sehat Card program, the Kohistan scandal has further exposed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Even ministers and MPAs from the ruling party have come forward with revelations, shedding light on the extent of corruption within Barrister Saif's party.
Express Tribune
20-04-2025
- Health
- 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).
Express Tribune
18-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Peshawar launches cochlear implant programme for hearing-impaired children
Listen to article A formal cochlear implant programme has been launched at the Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) in Peshawar to support children born with hearing impairments, according to Express News. The initiative has been introduced by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government in collaboration with Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal. The HMC's ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) team has already conducted nine successful cochlear implant surgeries as part of the pilot phase. The procedures, which cater to children aged between six months and five years, are now being offered under the government's flagship Sehat Card (Health Card) programme, significantly easing the financial burden on families. Each cochlear implant surgery costs approximately Rs2.15 million. This expense will now be covered through a combination of support from Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and the Sehat Card initiative. In a recent milestone, the ENT team, under the supervision of senior healthcare specialists, organised a two-day cochlear implant marathon at HMC, during which nine surgeries were successfully performed. The hospital administration praised the collective efforts and dedication of the HMC ENT team, crediting their perseverance as a key driver behind the successful implementation of the programme.
Express Tribune
15-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
K-P to keep rehabilitated addicts under vigilance
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has decided to keep a strict watch on the drug addicts who have been successfully rehabilitated recently under the Drug Free Peshawar drive. On the instructions of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Rs50,000 in aid will be provided to each rehabilitated individual to help them financially. Families have also been directed to keep a close eye on these individuals and inform the Drug Control Room immediately if they relapse into addiction. A formal affidavit has been obtained from the families, binding them to monitor the rehabilitated individuals and bring them to rehabilitation centres for medical check-ups every 15 days. To prevent these individuals from relapsing into addiction, a special squad comprising the Social Welfare Department and police has been formed. Starting on Monday, this squad will visit various areas of the city and transfer individuals struggling with addiction to rehabilitation centres. Those who relapse will also receive free treatment for six months. In this regard, agreements have already been made with rehabilitation centres. Moreover, those suffering from mental health issues will receive treatment at their homes. Specialist doctors from rehabilitation centres will visit these people every 15 days to provide treatment. Punjab's rehabilitated individuals will be handed over to the Punjab government on Monday. In this regard, contact has been made with the Punjab Social Welfare Secretary. Similarly, Afghan nationals will be handed over to the Afghan Consul General in Peshawar on Monday as well. A lengthy meeting was held under the chairmanship of Peshawar Division Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud to discuss these arrangements. The meeting was attended by Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Salim Akram, Social Welfare Director Rafiq Mohmand, Social Welfare District Officer Noor Muhammad Mehsud, and administrators and specialist doctors from rehabilitation centres. It may be recalled that in January this year, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur had decided to include the rehabilitation of drug addicts in the Sehat Insaf Card scheme, and directed that a case be prepared and presented to the provincial cabinet for approval. Once approved, rehabilitation centres for drug addicts will also be included in the Sehat Card panel, ensuring a more effective and organized rehabilitation process. This decision was made in the first meeting of the Provincial Task Force on Anti-Narcotics, held with the Chief Minister in the chair.
Express Tribune
14-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
K-P to compensate heirs of deceased patients
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has finalized a plan to provide compensation to the heirs of patients who die during treatment under the Sehat Card program. A formal code of conduct has been prepared for the purpose, according to which the heirs of the deceased patient must present a succession certificate from NADRA, and only those individuals listed on the succession certificate will be deemed fit for receiving compensation. The provincial government has allocated an initial amount of Rs4.5 billion for the purpose. An agreement has been signed with the State Life Insurance to facilitate the compensation process. Under the agreement, patients under 60, who are the head of the household and die during treatment, will receive Rs1 million in compensation. Similarly, patients above 60 years, who are the head of the household and pass way during treatment, will get Rs5 lakh in compensation. Compensation will be paid to the legal heirs only. A formal proposal has been prepared to bring the agreement into legal effect, which will be presented to the cabinet for approval. Once approved, the new policy will be implemented, providing much-needed support to the families of patients who die during treatment. The government has also established a clear mechanism for distributing the compensation amount among the victims' heirs, which will be based on the succession certificate. The certificate will specify the share of each heir, including wife or husband, sons, and daughters, and the compensation will be paid accordingly. Prior to this decision, the Residual Fund was used to cover the costs of dialysis, liver transplants, and emergency treatments for patients. However, with the new policy in place, the government aims to provide financial support to the families of patients who die during treatment, ensuring that they are not left to bear the burden alone. The K-P government allocates Rs30 billion annually for the Sehat Card program, which provides free medical treatment to the local residents. The government has also decided to include bone marrow, kidney and liver transplants, and thalassemia treatment under the Sehat Card program. A summary of this decision has been sent to the cabinet for approval. In the first phase, poor patients will be treated for these conditions at specific hospitals. Bone marrow transplants and liver transplants will be performed at Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital, while kidney transplants will be done at the Institute of Kidney Diseases Hospital in Hayatabad. Thalassemia and cochlear implant treatments will also be made available at Hayatabad Medical Complex. The Sehat Card teams have already conducted surveys at these hospitals to ensure that treatment facilities are available. It may be mentioned here that on Friday the chief minister announced that the drug rehabilitation will also be included in the Insaf Sehat Card initiative in the province to make society drug-free.
