KP Govt Suspends Health Card Scheme as Payment of Dues is Halted

The State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC) has suspended new admissions for free treatment of patients under the Sehat Card Plus program in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to non-payment of dues by the provincial government. SLIC, which is implementing the program for the government, has asked impanelled hospitals to stop admitting new patients on Sehat Card Plus until further notice.

The program provides free health services to poor people. The health desks of Sehat Card Plus at the hospitals will remain closed, according to a letter from the zonal head of SLIC. However, health facilitators, district medical officers, and provincial medical officers will be available for patient counseling and preparation of claims.

According to sources in the health department, the government owes Rs14 billion to the State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC) for the treatment of patients under the Sehat Card Plus program. The government had agreed two months ago to release Rs4 billion every month, of which the insurer would retain Rs1.5 billion in the outstanding amount, while Rs2.5 billion would be spent on the monthly treatment of the patients.

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However, the government has not paid the Rs4 billion due in March, and a similar installment was due to be paid on April 20. The SLIC has stopped new admissions for the program until further notice due to non-payment of dues. Senior health officials stated that the caretaker government cannot pay the amount due to severe financial constraints.

It is unfortunate to hear that the services under the Sehat Card Plus program have been suspended from April 20, 2023, due to non-payment of dues by the provincial government. The SLIC has stopped new admissions for free treatment of patients, and the health desks of Sehat Card Plus program at hospitals will remain closed. The health department has stated that the suspension is due to unavoidable circumstances, and the inconvenience caused is highly regretted. It is essential to resolve the issue and ensure that patients receive the necessary healthcare services.