Sehat Sahulat Programme by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government
The Sehat Sahulat Programme by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Government is a remarkable leap in Pakistan's otherwise stagnant health system.
Pakistan has a population of almost 230 million, making it the fifth most populous country in the world. Unfortunately, the health outcomes for people in Pakistan are generally poor. There are higher rates of maternal, newborn, and child morbidity and mortality. Additionally, there is a significant burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, as well as higher rates of infectious diseases. More than 70% of Pakistan's population relies on private healthcare facilities for their healthcare needs. Unfortunately, due to high poverty levels, even a single episode of acute illness can push people into poverty and drain their finances. This burden is even greater for those who are already below the poverty line, as they are forced to take out loans and struggle to repay them. However, the Sehat Sahulat Programme is a significant step in the right direction.
This programme provides health insurance to all families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) for up to PKR 1 million per year, which will help alleviate the financial burden of illness and provide much-needed support to those in need. The Provincial Government has shown a sincere commitment to improving healthcare services and reducing the burden of seeking healthcare on families. The initiative was launched in late 2015 and initially targeted households living below the poverty line, earning less than $2 per day. However, it has since been expanded to cover all permanent residents of KPK, Islamabad, Punjab, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and District Tharparker.
The Sehat Sahulat Programme provides coverage for secondary and tertiary healthcare services, including treatment for diabetes, heart and kidney diseases, Hepatitis B and C, cancers, as well as accidents and emergencies. In addition, it offers financial assistance to individuals in difficult circumstances, such as those who have lost their jobs while undergoing treatment, maternity allowances, transportation costs, and funeral expenses in the event of death during hospitalization. Unfortunately, the program was terminated when the Pakistan Tehreek Insaf’s (PTI) Government ended in 2022. However, the PTI Government was re-elected in KPK during the recent 2024 elections and the program has been restarted.
This programme is evidence of the PTI's commitment to improving healthcare services for all people in Pakistan. It is noteworthy that such health insurance has yet to be achieved in some high-income countries.
Author: Dr Nimra Khan
Institutional Affiliation: University of Oxford.
Date: 26.03.2024
Tags:Imran Khan
