ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Ministry of National Health Services has initiated steps to permanently integrate the Sehat Sahulat Card into the federal government healthcare system, aiming to extend long-term health coverage to millions of underprivileged citizens.
According to a senior official, a detailed proposal has been submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council for formal approval.
If granted, the move will secure continuous access to free medical service for nearly 2.7 million families residing in Islamabad, AJK, Gilgit, and Sindh Tarparkhar district.
Muhammar Arshad, who leads the Sehat Sahulat Card program, told the media that the initiative is now on track to become a permanent feature of the federal health framework.
He said that the programme represents a transformative step toward universal health coverage. particularly for the marginalised and remote communities that lack provincial healthcare support.
This decision will ensure uninterrupted and quality healthcare access for the most vulnerable population without financial hardships. He added that the proposal is currently under review by ECNEC and, once approved, will strengthen the social safety net.
The Sehat Sahaulat card covers a wide range of medical services, including hospital admissions, major surgeries, maternity care, and chronic disease treatment.
beneficiaries can seek care at over 600 empanelled hospitals, including both public and private institutions across opakuistan. Initially designed to assist low-income households, the programme was later expanded by the provincial government of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under their own setups.
However, federally administered regions—such as AJK, GB, Islamabad, and parts of Sindh—have remained under the federal version due to the absence of devolved health systems. It is anticipated that keeping the program permanently under federal supervision will simplify healthcare delivery in these areas and open the door for future growth and public health policy changes.
