The largest healthcare facility in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), has taken the unique step of temporarily suspending the treatment of patients under the Sehat Card Plus Programme due to unpaid dues.
The LRH administration had to make this difficult decision after the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan failed to clear their outstanding dues, thus forcing the hospital to halt its services to patients under the government-funded health program.
The hospital issued a notification on Wednesday, announcing the immediate suspension of services under the Sehat Sahulat Card program until further notice. It is important to note that, despite this suspension, emergency services will continue to be provided as usual.
Notably, LRH is not the first healthcare facility in the province to take such a drastic step. Earlier, the Peshawar Institute of Cardiology (PIC) had also suspended its services under the Sehat Card program, citing unpaid dues amounting to approximately Rs. 2 billion by the State Life Insurance Corporation.
The financial predicament faced by the caretaker provincial government appears to be a significant contributor to this crisis. Hospitals in the region have been struggling to pay their employees’ salaries due to the lack of funds, further exacerbating the healthcare crisis. In addition to the salary issue, numerous under-construction projects initiated by the previous government have been halted due to financial constraints.
It is crucial to remember that the Sehat Card program, launched by the former government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, played a pivotal role in providing free treatment to thousands of patients in the province. The program was lauded for its public-friendly approach and for increasing access to healthcare for those in need.
The current situation is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the healthcare sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The suspension of services under the Sehat Card program not only affects the patients who rely on it for affordable healthcare but also underscores the pressing need for the caretaker government to address the financial issues facing healthcare facilities in the province.
The future of this vital public-friendly project hangs in the balance, raising concerns about the healthcare access of the people of K-P. It is crucial for the authorities to resolve the funding issues on time to ensure the continuity of this essential healthcare program.
