Major Govt Hospital in Peshawar Stops Free Treatment of Patients. The Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) in Peshawar has officially suspended all free medical treatments provided under the Sehat Card Plus program, a government-funded initiative aimed at offering free healthcare services to citizens.
According to a statement released by the hospital administration, the decision was made due to non-payment of funds from the provincial government to the insurance company managing the program. The lack of financial support has severely impacted hospital operations, leaving thousands of patients without access to free treatment.
Reason Behind the Suspension
Hospital authorities revealed that the insurance firm responsible for the Sehat Card has failed to release pending payments to the hospital. These dues reportedly amount to millions of rupees, creating a financial burden on one of Peshawar’s largest government hospitals.
As a result, KTH management has decided to pause free healthcare services under the Sehat Card until further notice. This includes treatments for major surgeries, emergency operations, and chronic disease management that were previously covered under the scheme.
“We regret to inform patients that free treatment cannot continue unless the government clears outstanding payments,” said a KTH spokesperson.
Impact on Patients
The sudden suspension has caused severe distress among low-income patients who rely on the Sehat Card for essential healthcare. Many individuals visiting the hospital on Saturday morning were turned away or asked to pay out-of-pocket for procedures that were previously free.
Patients suffering from heart diseases, kidney issues, and other long-term conditions are now struggling to arrange private treatment. Some have voiced frustration over the government’s failure to ensure continuous healthcare access for the poor.
“We were told to bring money for our mother’s dialysis today,” said one attendant. “How can we afford private treatment when the Sehat Card was our only hope?”
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Health Crisis Deepens
The Sehat Card Plus program, launched by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, was designed to provide universal health coverage to every household in the province. However, recent months have seen multiple reports of hospitals facing funding shortages and delayed reimbursements.
KTH’s suspension of services highlights a broader healthcare funding crisis across KP. Other hospitals, including Lady Reading Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex, have also reported pending dues under the same insurance system.
Health experts warn that if the issue is not resolved soon, more public hospitals may be forced to suspend services, pushing citizens toward private hospitals that most cannot afford.
Government’s Response
So far, there has been no official response from the provincial health department regarding when funds will be released. Sources within the KP government indicate that the delay is linked to administrative and budgetary constraints between the Health Department and the insurance provider.
Officials have assured the public that discussions are ongoing to resolve the financial bottleneck and restore Sehat Card operations across Peshawar and other districts as soon as possible.
Public Reaction and Social Media Outcry
The suspension has sparked public outrage on social media, where citizens are demanding accountability from both the government and insurance company. Many users have criticized the lack of transparency in managing Sehat Card funds, calling for an audit of payments to hospitals.
Healthcare activists have urged the KP government to prioritize health sector funding, warning that prolonged suspension could lead to medical negligence cases and increased patient mortality rates.
What is the Sehat Card Program?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Sehat Card Plus |
| Launched By | Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Objective | To provide free healthcare services to all KP residents |
| Coverage | Up to PKR 1 million per family annually |
| Managed By | State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC) |
| Major Beneficiaries | Low-income and middle-class citizens |
| Current Status | Temporarily suspended at KTH due to unpaid dues |
Conclusion
The suspension of the Sehat Card facility at Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar underscores the fragility of Pakistan’s public healthcare system. While the program was launched with the promise of universal coverage, funding mismanagement now threatens to undo years of progress in healthcare accessibility.
Unless the government immediately releases funds and restores operations, thousands of patients will continue to suffer, eroding public trust in state-run welfare programs designed to protect the poor.
FAQs About KTH Sehat Card Suspension
1. Why has KTH stopped free Sehat Card treatments?
KTH suspended the program due to non-payment of funds from the government to the insurance company responsible for the Sehat Card scheme.
2. Which patients are affected by this suspension?
All patients seeking free treatment under the Sehat Card program, including those needing surgeries, dialysis, and chronic care, are affected.
3. Is the Sehat Card suspended across all hospitals in KP?
Currently, only KTH has announced a complete suspension. However, other hospitals in KP are also facing similar payment delays.
4. When will free treatment resume at KTH?
Free treatment may resume once the government releases pending funds and the insurance company clears outstanding hospital dues.
