The healthcare system under the Sehat Sahulat Program in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is facing a serious crisis due to delays in the release of funds by the provincial government, with major public hospitals reportedly limiting treatment services.
Key medical institutions, including the Peshawar Institute of Cardiology and Lady Reading Hospital, are facing outstanding dues exceeding Rs4 billion collectively, while several other hospitals are under severe financial strain due to unpaid amounts, officials said.
The total outstanding liabilities have reportedly reached around Rs12 billion since the caretaker government’s tenure, posing a significant challenge to the province’s healthcare system.
Although no hospital has officially announced suspension of services, the sources indicate that treatment under the Sehat Card has been significantly restricted in practice.
Meanwhile, the officials said that the Finance Department has released Rs4 billion, which is expected to be transferred to the accounts of the concerned hospitals by next week.
The head of the program maintained that no institution has formally reported closure of treatment services, however, the pace of healthcare delivery has slowed due to limited resources, expressing hope that the release of funds would help improve the situation.
The current situation has caused serious difficulties for underprivileged patients relying on the program for free medical care.
They urged the provincial government to ensure uninterrupted services under the programme. ap