The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced a significant increase in the budget for the Sehat Card Plus (SCP) program, aiming to clear outstanding payments to hospitals and ensure smooth implementation of the province’s flagship free healthcare initiative. The move comes as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen public health services and support hospitals in providing timely treatment to citizens.
Monthly Allocations Increased
Previously, the government allocated Rs3 billion per month to the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan, which manages the Sehat Card Plus program. However, starting December, the monthly allocation was raised to Rs4 billion, providing much-needed relief to hospitals struggling with delayed payments.
The increased budget is intended to gradually settle pending liabilities of empaneled hospitals, allowing healthcare providers to continue delivering quality medical services without financial disruption.
Annual Budget Raised to Rs48 Billion
Officials confirmed that the total annual budget for Sehat Card Plus has been increased from Rs36 billion to Rs48 billion, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.
For the current fiscal year, KP has allocated Rs41 billion, releasing Rs3 billion per month during the first five months, from July to November. This allocation has already helped reduce the backlog of payments owed to hospitals participating in the program.
Gradual Reduction in Outstanding Liabilities
Government sources indicate that outstanding liabilities to the insurance company have steadily decreased:
- Start of fiscal year: Rs15 billion
- Mid-year: Rs12 billion
- Expected by year-end: Rs8 billion
While the annual expenditure of the program is projected at Rs34–35 billion, the remaining funds are being used to settle past obligations, ensuring that hospitals are compensated for services rendered to patients under the SCP initiative.
Hospitals Still Facing Delays
Despite the increase in funding, some hospitals have reported delayed payments, which continue to pose challenges for the provision of healthcare services:
- Ayub Teaching Hospital recently received Rs38 million against an outstanding amount of Rs700 million.
- Medical Teaching Institution Bannu is still awaiting payments totaling Rs290 million.
Hospital administrators have emphasized that delayed reimbursements make it difficult to compensate medical staff involved in treating patients under the Sehat Card Plus program.
Call for Streamlined Fund Distribution
Officials have highlighted the need for a more efficient system for distributing funds to hospitals. Prioritizing public hospitals, especially those located outside Peshawar, is considered essential to ensure equitable access to healthcare across the province.
The KP government has also directed relevant departments to closely monitor payment disbursements and coordinate with the insurance company to avoid any further delays, ensuring that patients receive uninterrupted medical care.
Commitment to Free Healthcare
The Sehat Card Plus program is a cornerstone of KP’s healthcare policy, providing free medical treatment to citizens across the province. The recent budget increase reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening public health services, improving hospital funding, and ensuring that every citizen has access to quality healthcare.
By gradually clearing outstanding payments and improving fund distribution, the KP government aims to create a more efficient, reliable, and sustainable healthcare system for the people of the province.
