MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Minister for Public Health and Population Welfare Bazil Ali Naqvi said that the facility of Sehat Card has been restored for the people of Azad Kashmir under the Prime Minister’s National Health Program.
For this purpose, the Government of Pakistan has signed an agreement with the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan, under which the treatment expenses will be paid with the financial assistance of the Government of Pakistan.
The Health Minister further said that in the first phase, treatment facilities under the Sehat Card are being provided in CMH Muzaffarabad, CMH Rawalakot, District Headquarters Hospital Mirpur, District Headquarters Hospital Bhimber, District Headquarters Hospital Kotli, District Headquarters Hospital Palandri, District Headquarters Hospital Bagh, District Headquarters Hospital Jhelum Valley and District Headquarters Hospital Neelum, while Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences Muzaffarabad and Cardiac Hospital Muzaffarabad will also be included in the program soon.
The program includes surgeries and medicines related to cancer, heart diseases, kidney diseases, gynecology, and other complex diseases.
He said that all tehsil hospitals of Azad Kashmir have been registered with State Life in the second phase, and facilities will be started soon in hospitals that meet the prescribed standards, while treatment under the Sehat Card is also being provided in private hospitals that meet the eligibility criteria.
The Health Minister said that the citizens of Azad Kashmir are also being provided treatment facilities under the Sehat Card in government hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, including Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, District Headquarters Hospital Rawalpindi, Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi, and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
Information desks have been set up in all CMHs and District Headquarters Hospitals and in case of any complaint, the Directorate General of Public Health, Muzaffarabad, can be contacted.
The website of the Government of Pakistan and the helpline 0800-09009 are also available for information related to the Sehat Card.
The Health Minister reiterated the commitment that the government of Azad Kashmir will continue to take all possible steps for uninterrupted provision of quality and timely treatment to the people of Azad Kashmir.
So that people living in remote areas can also benefit from modern medical facilities and no patient has to miss out on treatment due to financial difficulties.
