Lahore: The Punjab government has decided to phase out the Sehat Card program, the largest free treatment program, and replace it with a new card system for specific diseases, which will directly affect millions of patients.
Government officials say that the aim of this move is to ensure greater transparency in health facilities, financial management and fair distribution based on diseases. According to officials, several administrative and financial problems had come to the fore in the current program, which will now be resolved with the new model.
Before the decision to close the Sehat Card program, the company has sent a letter to the MS of all government hospitals across the province, stating that treatment on the current card will be stopped after June 30, 2025.
What is changing?
Under the new program, separate cards will be issued for different diseases, including:
✅ Cornea and cochlear transplant
✅ Bone marrow transplant
✅ Dialysis
✅ Kidney and liver transplant
✅ Pediatric heart surgery
The provincial government says that this system will enable needy patients to get better and more timely treatment.
However, there is strong disagreement in public circles over this decision. Some people have called it a big setback for the poor, while some health experts are calling this change an important step towards a modern health policy.
It should be remembered that the Sehat Card program was launched by the PTI government, through which millions of patients have received free treatment so far.
